| Eelgrass and Kelp Mapping and Monitoring |
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Kelps are seaweeds (algae) and are found in deep waters and often in areas of current. They complement, but do not compete with, Eelgrasses are seagrasses and prefer shallower, calmer waters. Eelgrass
 Eelgrass likes to have a certain level of wave action, sunlight, salinity and temperature levels. It performs many ecosystem services. Eelgrass stabilizes the shoreline, gives us oxygen, cleans our water, sequesters carbon, and provides key habitat for 80% of commercial fish and shellfish. Eelgrass supports salmon smolts too small to go to sea, gives rockfish a place to grow until they leave for the reef, and provides nursery and other habitat for all species of crab and many species of sea star. Eelgrass provides needed habitat for many species that are part of several food chains, making it essential habitat for our marine ecosystem.  Eelgrass is impacted by trampling, loss of sunlight or turbidity, poor water quality, changes in salinity level and water temperature MVIHES has mapped approximately 57 hectares of eelgrass between Craig Creek and Little Qualicum River. This was done as part of the Englishman River Estuary Bioinventory Report. You can see the report, or just the eelgrass maps. Not only is this significant habitat for fish and other key animals in our ecosystem, it means that every year our eelgrass beds sequester a good amount of carbon. Zoster marina sequesters on average 500 grams/square metre/year of carbon. This means that in this area the eelgrass we have left naturally sequesters 285 metric tons/year. (570,000 sq. metres x 500 grams = 285,000,000 = 285,000kg = 285 tons). (This mapping work represents only one community out of approximately 27 that have been trained by, and are members of the Seagrass Conservation Working Group)
 MVIHES will be mapping the kelp beds as part of the efforts of the Seagrass Conservation Working Group. They have started working on a methodology that will be scientifically valid but doable by stewardship groups. |