About the Project

In the lower Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, warmer water temperatures in recent years have resulted in large scale diebacks of eelgrass meadows (Zostera marina). In contrast, many eelgrass populations in Back Sound, North Carolina appear to be more resilient to warming water temperatures. Understanding the drivers of these regional differences in eelgrass resilience could help more effectively restore eelgrass meadows in a changing climate. With a network of the intended users from reserves, state agencies, and Chesapeake Bay nonprofits, this project compared resiliency traits of eelgrass populations in Virginia and North Carolina by conducting reciprocal restoration trials and genomic sequencing. The project results indicate the importance of seed sources in potential future eelgrass restoration, in addition to site selection.

About this Resource

An introduction to "Evaluating and Enhancing Eelgrass Resiliency and Restoration Potential in a Changing Climate," a collaborative research project funded in 2022 by the NERRS Science Collaborative.