Mid-Summer Bay Grass Monitoring Shows Some Increases, But Concern Remains

July 2008 -- Annual monitoring for underwater bay grasses is now in full swing, and scientists with the Bay Program are currently conducting aerial observations of the middle and lower Bay to document bay grass acreage.

One trend scientists are noting this year is increased grass bed density from 2007, according to Bob Orth, researcher with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Nassawadox Creek, the lower York River and the lower mainstem of the James River are a few areas where grass beds appear denser, indicating slow recovery.

Scientists continue to be concerned about eelgrass because of a large-scale die-off in late summer 2005 due to high temperatures. Eelgrass recovery in many areas has been limited by a combination of stressors, including poor water clarity. Broad Bay, near Virginia Beach, is one location where healthy eelgrass beds died out in 2005. As of late this spring, grass beds had not returned to this area.

While some areas seem to have recovered from the 2005 die-off, the overall picture for eelgrass remains discouraging when compared with conditions from the 1990s. For example, distribution of grass beds in Pocomoke Sound and near Ewell on Smith Island remain well below that reported a decade ago.

As in previous years, the Lynnhaven River and the Wicomico and Nanticoke rivers to Fishing Bay continue to lack underwater grass beds.

Scientists will continue their aerial observations throughout the summer. Overall acreage results will be available in early spring 2009.

Visit VIMS' "Aerial and Field SAV Observations" blog for up-to-date information on this year's monitoring results.