It's Hard to Protect What You Can't See
Eelgrass, widgeon grass, turtle grass, and many other types of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) grow in the nation's coastal zone. While numerous state and federal laws protect this important resource, it is often hard to protect what you can't see.
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation: Data Development and Applied Uses is a CD-ROM that provides the information coastal resource managers need to start, or improve their state seagrass mapping efforts. The contents can help managers
- Keep costs down and accuracy up
- Educate constituents about seagrasses
- Find new ways to use seagrass data
Examples of How SAV Data are Being Used
For many coastal programs, SAV maps are a cornerstone data information resource. Several examples are given on this CD-ROM. These examples include:
Dredge Material Siting – For its $400 million harbor revitalization project, the Massachusetts Coastal Program used SAV maps to create an environmentally sound disposal plan.
Documenting Shellfish Harvesting Impacts – SAV mapping by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science documented the destructive effects of hydraulic clam dredges. As a result, Virginia and Maryland banned this type of dredging in SAV beds.
Water Quality Indicators – The St. Johns River Water Management District along the east coast of Florida uses SAV maps to help determine if efforts to maintain and improve water quality are effective.
Ferry Terminal Expansion – Eelgrass maps in the Puget Sound, produced by the Battelle Marine Science Laboratory and the University of Washington, are helping officials balance environmental concerns while meeting the need to expand docking terminals.
Benthic Habitat Mapping Guidance
Also on the CD-ROM are the cumulative lessons learned from over a decade's worth of seagrass mapping work. Technical guidance and standardized methodology recommendations are provided in the section that contains the guidance for benthic habitat mapping. This document, which also is available on the Web at www.csc.noaa.gov/benthic/, helps data developers benefit from the experiences of others and keeps them abreast of new trends and technology.
Management Aids and General Information
This comprehensive information resource contains
- A field guide
- A PowerPoint presentation
- Information about funding sources
- Seagrass-related laws and policies
- Reference materials
- Image gallery
- Tips for working with mapping contractors
To order Submerged Aquatic Vegetation: Data Development and Applied Uses, contact the NOAA Coastal Services Center at www.csc.noaa.gov/clearinghouse. For additional information about benthic habitat mapping and to view some of the Center's benthic habitat mapping products, please visit www.csc.noaa.gov/benthic/.
