Eel Grass seeds planted in Chesapeake Bay

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Quality habitat is the key to life in every aquatic ecosystem. Researchers are trying a new approach to improve the habitat in Chesapeake Bay by scattering freshly cut eelgrass in parts of this massive estuary, hoping that seeds from the stalks will grow new grassbeds.

In the past, efforts have centered around the labor-intensive harvest of mature grasses and physically transplanting individual stems.

This past June, managers seeded roughly 120 acres, an area six times larger than any area covered with transplanted grasses. If this method works, they plan to spread seeds over even more acreage next year.

Known for its oysters, blue crabs and stripers, as well as its largemouth bass, Chesapeake Bay now has 65,000 acres of grassbeds, and individual states in the watershed have established a goal of 185,000 acres by 2010.

"This may be a better method. We don't know, but we're trying to evaluate it," said Tom Parham of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR).

The MDNR and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) are working together to find new and better ways to replenish grassbeds that constantly struggle for survival against smothering pollution that washes in from the bay's vast watershed. Grasses were at an all-time high last year, but heavy rains pushed in even more nutrients and that sediment wiped out a third of the established beds.

Aquatic vegetation provides nursery grounds and hiding places for shellfish and finfish, as well as food for fish and waterfowl. Its health serves as a "barometer of the health of the bay," said Bob Orth of VIMS.

"We hope that it is going to take off and expand. If you don't replace the resource, you're out of business," added Tommy Zinn, a crabber who helped spread the seeds.

Until October, when the seeds start to germinate, scientists, anglers, crabbers and others will be anxiously waiting, hoping that the seeds will not be eaten, buried by pollution or carried away. "You could get a good storm and wash out all of these bags," Orth said.

Researchers also are keeping a close eye on water quality in Chesapeake Bay.

"We can demonstrate we can plant lots of grasses. That's not a problem," Orth said. "It's making sure these plants survive. If you don't have the water quality, forget it." [org pub ESPN, By Robert Montgomery]