Massive Seagrass Die-Off Leads to Widespread Erosion in Morro Bay
Share
[aggregation-styles]
Science Daily In recent years, Morro Bay’s iconic eelgrass beds, which provide the estuary’s primary living habitat, experienced a massive die-off, declining more than 90 percent since 2007. Efforts to restore the eelgrass have had mixed success in many parts of the bay, and this seagrass is now only found close to the mouth of the bay and sporadically in other regions.
Seagrass systems are found throughout the world and provide many ecosystem services including fish nursery habitats, forage for migratory birds, nutrient cycling, carbon storage and sediment stabilization.
“The loss of eelgrass in the Morro Bay estuary is analogous to the loss of trees in a rainforest,” says lead author and Cal Poly physics Professor Ryan Walter. “Not only do you lose the plants, but you also lose all of the services that they provide for the entire ecosystem.”
Read More →
Science Daily In recent years, Morro Bay’s iconic eelgrass beds, which provide the estuary’s primary living habitat, experienced a massive die-off, declining more than 90 percent since 2007. Efforts to restore the eelgrass have had mixed success in many parts of the bay, and this seagrass is now only found close to the mouth of the bay and sporadically in other regions.
Seagrass systems are found throughout the world and provide many ecosystem services including fish nursery habitats, forage for migratory birds, nutrient cycling, carbon storage and sediment stabilization.
“The loss of eelgrass in the Morro Bay estuary is analogous to the loss of trees in a rainforest,” says lead author and Cal Poly physics Professor Ryan Walter. “Not only do you lose the plants, but you also lose all of the services that they provide for the entire ecosystem.”
Read More →
California Polytechnic State University | 28 July 2020
RELATED TOPICS:
Abandoned Poodle Mix Adam Survives the Wild and Seeks a Forever Home
Animals /
12 hours ago
Top Brazilian Judge Orders Suspension of X Platform in Brazil Amid Feud With Musk
Politics /
24 hours ago
How a Real Estate Boom Drove Political Corruption in Los Angeles
Crime /
1 day ago
Palestinian TikTok Star Who Shared Details of Gaza Life Under Siege Is Killed by Israeli Airstrike
World /
1 day ago
Latest
Videos
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/16183042/Eagles-vs-49ers.jpg)
Sports /
11 hours ago
Bettors Banking on Eagles Resurgence, Cowboys Regression as NFL Season Begins
![A black poodle's face with his tongue sticking out](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/29135336/Rescued-from-an-abandoned-home-after-weeks-of-fending-for-himself-Adam-a-shy-but-sweet-poodle-mix-is-now-seeking-a-loving-forever-home.-Mells-Mutts-1024x538.jpg)
Animals /
12 hours ago
Abandoned Poodle Mix Adam Survives the Wild and Seeks a Forever Home
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/30180712/AP24242759968532-1024x576.jpg)
Politics /
24 hours ago
Top Brazilian Judge Orders Suspension of X Platform in Brazil Amid Feud With Musk
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28091346/082824-Lede-1024x576.jpg)
Housing /
3 days ago