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Eelgrass Facts

Eelgrass Facts
Eelgrass is a type of aquatic plant that belongs to the seagrass family. There are 16 species of eelgrass that can be found in the coastal wetlands, estuaries and shallow bays around the world. Eelgrass grows in salty, tidal waters, on sandy, gravely and muddy sea floor, in areas with temperate climate. Biggest threats for the survival of eelgrass in the ocean are pollution of the water, habitat destruction, oil spills, intense boat traffic (propellers mechanically destroy eelgrass) and changes in water temperature. Even though eelgrasses are not as numerous as they were in the past, they are still not on the list of endangered species.
Interesting Eelgrass Facts:
Eelgrass produces short stem and numerous blades that can reach up to 4 feet in length.
Abundance of eelgrass in the water depends on temperature, salinity, quality of light and availability of nutrients in the water.
Eelgrass has white, thick rhizome covered with numerous nodes and roots. Rhizome stores nutrients and energy required for development of leaves and flowers during the spring and summer.
Eelgrass has ribbon-shaped leaves that resemble the leaves of wild celery.
Eelgrass is one of the few plants that produce flowers in the ocean. It blooms during the summer and produces flowers enclosed in the sheaths at the base of leaves. Water plays important role in the pollination of eelgrass. Sea currents carry pollen toward the female flowers.
Fruit of eelgrass are bladdery seed-bearing shoots. Ripe shoots detach from the mother plant and travel to the surface of the water where they release seed.
Eelgrass propagates via seed and turions (winter buds on the rhizome).
Scientific name of eelgrass is "Zostera". Name originates from the Greek word "zoster" which means "belt" and it refers to the shape of leaves.
Eelgrass is very important member of the aquatic ecosystems. It transforms loose, shifting sandy bottom into habitat suitable for the growth of algae and diatoms. Eelgrass beds provide food and shelter for various aquatic invertebrates (such as worms, crabs and shellfish) and fish (finfish, pipefish and salmons). Many species of fish spawn near the eelgrass beds. They also serve as "nurseries" for young fish. Biological diversity of eelgrass bed can be easily compared with tropical rainforests.
Eelgrass is important source of food for Canada geese, brants, black duck, green turtles, snails and sea urchins.
Thick rhizome of eelgrass prevents erosion of the substrate induced by strong sea currents.
Seri Indians used rhizomes and bases of leaves as a source of food (both in the fresh and dried form).
Dried leaves of eelgrass were used for insulation of houses in the past.
Eelgrass can be used for stuffing of mattresses and cushions, as a building material for roofs and as source of biomass that is used for the production of energy.
Eelgrass is perennial plant (lifespan: more than 2 years).


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