Seagrass Meadows
Seagrasses and other submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) are essential to the commercial and recreational vitality of Galveston Bay. They support a diversity of aquatic life by providing food and protective cover, and also play a role in physical shoreline processes – including the prevention of erosion and the control of sediments and nutrients in the water. Seagrass populations in the Bay have been on the decline in recent years, due in large part to human activities. Powerboats, for example, pose a threat to seagrasses as their propellers often pull up the roots of the plants, which can take years to re-establish.
Viewer Tip: Studies have shown that planting shoalgrass in degraded seagrass colonies can lead to natural restoration of a seagrass ecosystem. To help, you can volunteer in local seagrass planting programs, or provide your support to organizations that work to restore these ecosystems. For ways to help, visit: www.gbep.state.tx.us/information-groups/citizens.asp.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
(Source: The Galveston Bay Estuary Program. The State of the Bay: A Characterization of the Galveston Bay Ecosystem. August, 2002. Available at: http://gbic.tamug.edu/sobdoc/sob2/sob2page.html.; Galveston Bay Estuary Program. Citizen Action. Available at: http://www.gbep.state.tx.us/information-groups/citizens.asp.)
