Assessing Indicators for Restoring Eelgrass in Degraded Sites Along the Coast of British Columbia

Along the coast of British Columbia, eelgrass habitats (Zostera marina) have been declining due to impacts both on land and water. These areas are important for many fisheries and aquaculture in BC. Restoration work in degraded subtidal conditions, especially in log storage areas, is slow. Increased levels of organic material left in the sediments by the logging industry could be one problem. Wood waste from logging degrades very slowly, creating an environment that makes it difficult for eelgrass to thrive. Although it is difficult to determine if wood waste is present, there are a number of measurements that can be taken to determine if the site is not suitable for eelgrass. This project will measure a number of potential indicators and compare these across sites to determine which would signify that a site is not suitable for an eelgrass transplant. Future research could focus on possible remediation for the sites that would not be successful because of wood waste.

Faculty Supervisor:

Leah Bendell

Student:

Partner:

Squamish River Watershed Society

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Other services (except public administration)

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program: