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Reports on Resilience and Positive Feedbacks: Water quality management and eelgrass health in Great Bay Estuary, NH/ME

Reports on Resilience and Positive Feedbacks: Water quality management and eelgrass health in Great Bay Estuary, NH/ME

A logo showing the title of the project being wrapped by eelgrass

About the Project

This project examined connections between eelgrass health, water quality, and water flow patterns in Great Bay. The project team combined hydrodynamic modeling of Great Bay and new field observations to examine potential stressors of eelgrass, including water residence time, nitrogen loading, in situ nitrogen processing, sediment dynamics, and light availability. A Project Advisory Committee (PAC) made up of individuals from 14 organizations provided input to the project team to ensure results were relevant, trusted, and useful within the current management context. Project outcomes are informing the adaptive management plans developed by surrounding communities.

About this Resource

These companion reports provide details about the project's outcomes as well as insights for management for a variety of audiences.

The “So What” Report: This report provides a high-level summary of the project and its implications. With a focus on lessons learned, the report distills why and how the project's results are important for future eelgrass management. Geared toward broader audiences, this report can be used for public education and engagement with eelgrass management.

Technical Report: This comprehensive technical report outlines the project’s motivations, context, methods, results, and discussion of results in the context of local management concerns. It provides evidence-based recommendations for decision makers in the region looking to better understand water quality, light, and eelgrass relationships.