Virginia Coastal Program: 2002 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2002 Task 12.03
Grantee:
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Project Title:
Virginia Seaside Heritage Program: SAV Mapping & Restoration
Project Description as Proposed:
Seagrasses, primarily
eelgrass, Zostera marina, were once very abundant in these seaside
bays, covering most of the subaqueous bottom. In the 1930's
eelgrass underwent a massive decline attributed to a wasting disease
pathogen, Labyrinthula sp. The decline was pandemic, affecting not
only populations in the seaside bays, but also populations on both
sides of the Atlantic. In August of 1933, this region was affected
by one of the most destructive hurricanes to influence the area
in the twentieth century, contributing to the decimation of seagrasses
in the bays. Natural recovery of seagrasses has been limited primarily
to Chincoteague, Sinepuxent, Isle of Wight and Assawoman bays with
little or no recovery in the Virginia seaside bays. This may be
due to limited propagule supply and dispersal ability. Today, the
Virginia seaside bays are primarily salt marsh and macroalgal dominated.
This project will continue the restoration of seagrasses in the
seaside bays. The project has seven tasks: 1. Restoring large areas
of seagrass by broadcasting seeds in 30, one-acre plots, 2. Establish
test plots in previously unvegetated areas to determine the feasibility
of larger scale plantings, 3. Monitor the success of all transplants,
4. Develop a methodology for passively collecting seeds, 5. Collect
seeds for restoration work in 2003, 6. Collect water quality data
in areas with and without seagrass plantings, and 7. Develop a photomosaic
from aerial photography for use by the Seaside Heritage Program.
Federal Funding:
$85,000
Project Contact:
Bob Orth, 804/ 684-7392, jjorth@vims.edu
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
Seagrasses,
primarily eelgrass, Zostera marina, were once very abundant in the
coastal bays, covering most of the subaqueous bottom. In the 1930s
eelgrass underwent a massive decline attributed to a wasting disease
pathogen, Labyrinthula sp. And along with a massive hurricane in
1933, seagrasses were totally eliminated from these bays. With initial
work at attempts in restoring seagrass starting in 1996 being highly
successful the goal of the work proposed here is to continue the
restoration of seagrasses in the seaside coastal bays.
The first of the three year project has 6 tasks:
1. monitor success of test and established seagrass areas which
showed most areas planted in previous years have continued to grow
and spread,
2. develop a methodology for passively collecting seeds - a prototype
was developed which collected some floating seeds but has distinct
limitations for large scale harvesting,
3. collect seeds for 2003 efforts - 1.7 million seeds were used
for restoration efforts in Cobb Bay,
4. surface mapping of water quality with dataflow- six cruises were
completely during the 2003 field season between April 21 and Oct
29 collecting data on turbidity, chlorophyll fluorescence, temperature,
salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen. Three deployments were completed
using the fixed station in May, July, and October.
5. large scale seagrass restoration - we planted 1.7 million seeds
in 35 - 0.5 acre circular plots around the Gull Marsh area,
6. establishment of test plots in the Gull Marsh area - test plots
were planted at three new locations at the north end of Gull Marsh
in the fall, 2003, and
7. photomosaicing of aerial photographs - low level color and multispectral
images have been orthorectified and mosaiced while the black and
white photography require additional work for this process to be
completed. The results to date have important implications in seagrass
restoration projects esp. in the use of seeds versus whole plants
and monitoring water quality to insure that we understand any alterations
that may occur in this system to the restoration efforts.
Form C end
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
