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Eelgrass in Little Narragansett Bay

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THE WATCH HILL CONSERVATOR NONPROFIT ORG. 222 Watch Hill Road U.S. POSTAGE PAID Watch Hill, Rhode Island 02891 WESTERLY, RI PERMIT NO. 26 Return Service Requested Puffin Enterprises© THE WATCH HILL CONSERVANCY NEWSLETTER JUNE 2013 VOL. 6 NO. 2 WATCH HILL, R.I. EELGRASS IN LITTLE NARRAGANSETT BAY Michael Bradley (URI), Marci Cole Ekberg (Save the Bay), and Peter August (URI) What is eelgrass? Monitoring eelgrass in Little Narragansett Zostera marina, commonly known as eelgrass, is the primary sea- Bay using aerial photography grass species found in Rhode Island coastal waters. Eelgrass is a flowering Beginning in about 1994, Save the Bay (STB) underwater plant that grows in shallow waters at depths ranging from began mapping and monitoring eelgrass in Narragansett approximately 3 to 12 feet in Little Narragansett Bay (LNB). Like all Bay. In 1996 and 2006, aerial photographs were taken flowering plants, eelgrass requires sunlight for photosynthesis and has a to map the extent of eelgrass in Narragansett Bay and root system (rhizomes) in the subaqueous soil for absorption of nutrients other locations including Block Island. Previous to Watch Hill Conservancy Annual Meeting and stabilization. The long, slender, green blades capture rays of sunlight 2012, eelgrass had been mapped in Rhode Island on a THE WATCH HILL CONSERVANCY August 17, 5 p.m. at the Misquamicut to produce oxygen and bend with the ebb and flow of the tides. It repro- piece-meal basis, meaning some sites were mapped in 222 Watch Hill Road Club Golf Club duces by seed or by sprouting new shoots from rhizomes. Contrary to one year and others the next. LNB, for example, is Watch Hill, Rhode Island 02891 “Science and Management of the popular misconception, it is neither seaweed nor algae, which float in the part of the effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (401) 348-6540 Napatree Conservation Area” water or anchor to a rock. Eelgrass can form large meadows or small sep- to map eelgrass for Long Island Sound. In 2011, STB arate beds, which range in size from many acres to just a yard across. and numerous other state agencies undertook an ambi- Directors and Officers Guest speaker: Peter V. August, Ph.D. Why is eelgrass so important? tious project to map eelgrass for all coastal Rhode Frederick B. Whittemore, Thomas F. McWilliams Peter August is Professor of Natural Resources in the Island waters, including the coastal ponds, Block Department of Natural Resources Science at the University of Eelgrass is one of the most diverse and productive underwater habi- Island, and LNB, during the same calendar year. In President and Chairman Robert Severud tats found in North America. This critical estuarine habitat provides a pri- Richard H. Sayre, Grant G. Simmons III Rhode Island. Dr. August received his Ph.D. degree (Biology) order to do this, aerial photographs had to be taken for from Boston University in 1981. In 1985, he joined the URI mary source of food and shelter to an abundance of marine life, including all coastal areas in Rhode Island during a specific time Vice President, Vice Chairman, H. Brian Thompson economically-important finfish and shellfish species, such as flounder, and Treasurer Henry Toolan Department of Natural Resources Science to begin development of of year and under certain environmental conditions a Geographic Information System (GIS) database in a cooperative tautog, bay scallops, quahogs, lobsters, and blue crabs. The bay scallop conducive to identifying eelgrass on an aerial photo. Chaplin B. Barnes, Charles S. Whitman III fishery has been nonexistent in Rhode Island since 1957, largely due to the Vice President and Secretary project involving the University and the Rhode Island Department To accurately map eelgrass, the photos need to be tak- Advisory Council loss of eelgrass beds. Recently-born bay scallops as well as blue mussels Peter B. Griffin, of Environmental Management (DEM). He established the en when eelgrass is growing (June – July) and during Charles M. Royce rely on eelgrass beds as attachment sites where they are afforded protec- Vice President Environmental Data Center (EDC) in the Department of Natural low tide, calm winds, low sun angle, little or no cloud Thomas P. Sculco tion, food, and structure. It is widely understood that the vitality of an Jane B. O’Connell, Resources Science to serve as the Center of Technical Excellence cover, and low water turbidity. After a year of unsuit- Thomas R. Wall IV estuary’s eelgrass beds is an indicator of its health. Because of its impor- Vice President in Rhode Island for GIS information processing and data distribu- able conditions due to hurricanes (Irene) and other bad Staff tion. As Director of the URI Coastal Institute from 2000 to 2009, tance, eelgrass is protected both at the federal (EPA) and state (CRMC) weather, the photos were finally taken on June 28th James R. Barnes Chaplin B. Barnes, Executive Director Dr. August was responsible for developing programs and activities levels of government. and 30th, 2012. Continued on page 3 Elizabeth W. Bean Judith H. Kelley, Office Manager that assist in the creation of solutions to environmental problems Historically, eelgrass beds flourished in many areas of Rhode Island Peter J. Brockmann Lyn Traver, Administrative Assistant in coastal ecosystems. Dr. August has been a leader in the Nap- and helped support a thriving commercial scallop industry. Increased Marian C. Burke atree Advisors, a team of volunteer scientists who have been water pollution, shoreline development, boat traffic, eelgrass wasting dis- Harvey C. DeMovick III The Watch Hill Conservator studying Napatree for the past several years on behalf of the Watch ease, and hurricane damage have significantly reduced the Bay’s eelgrass T. Wilson Eglin, Jr. Joan Youngken, Contributing Editor Design, Puffin Enterprises Hill Conservancy. beds. The loss of eelgrass beds has affected fish and wildlife populations Donald R. Kelly and has virtually eliminated commercial scalloping in Rhode Island. Susan Kozel For information about community events, Dr. August will review the scientific data collection that is Eelgrass is also sensitive to increased water temperatures, as we are now Deborah Lamm lectures, concerts, nature walks, educa- happening at Napatree and how these data can and will be used to seeing with climate change. Regina L. Livingston tional programs for children, and others, inform management practices for this ecologically important area. Charles E. Long see the Conservancy’s website below. “The Napatree ecosystem is incredibly dynamic,” he states em- phatically, “and it is imperative that careful monitoring be done to Photographing eelgrass beds. (Photo Michael Bradley) www.thewatchhillconservancy.org ensure that management practices are having the desired effects.” Contents copyright 2013 The Watch Hill Conservancy© 2 7 Calendar of Summer Events 2013 EMBERSHIP ORM Why Watch Hill? Why the Watch Hill Conservancy? M F Watch Hill Conservancy A Personal Perspective, Chaplin B. Barnes, Executive Director Celebration of Summer 2013 (annual benefit party), The Watch Hill Conservancy is a non- profit organization. Your membership Saturday, June 29, 6 - 9 p.m. Misquamicut Club Beach Club (all welcome) supports the protection of the natural and As with all things, change must come. the Conservancy was given two islands in the Napatree Naturalists cultural resources of Watch Hill, a variety In 1999, as a practicing attorney, also coun- Pawcatuck River, one with an osprey platform and a family of ospreys who return each year to Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings July 9 to August 29, of programs, and educational publications, sel to the Watch Hill Fire District, I helped Fred 8:30 to 10:30. See Napatree Notes elsewhere in this issue. Whittemore and an initial Board of Directors to nest. including this newsletter. Saturday Morning Nature Walks incorporate the Watch Hill Conservancy as a Early on, the Conservancy added to its mis- June 15 - August 31, starting 9 a.m. from the entrance to Napatree Point charitable organization promoting the preserva- sion the protection of the built environment of Member name:__________________________ tion of the natural environment of Watch Hill Watch Hill, and the preservation of its architec- Conservation Area, near the Misquamicut Club Beach Club and seeking to conserve, maintain, and enhance tural heritage. One result was the proposal by Annual Meeting, August 17, 5 p.m., Misquamicut Club Golf Club ______________________________________ Watch Hill’s scenic, historical, open space and the Conservancy, followed by passage by the Preferred mailing address:_________________ outdoor recreational values, as well as sensitive Westerly Town Council, of a new zoning ordi- Watch Hill Chapel areas that are habitat to many species of birds nance, providing architectural design standards ______________________________________ and wildlife. The model Fred had in mind was for Bay Street, the first and (to date) the only Services Sundays, June 23 - September 8 ______________________________________ the Weekapaug Foundation for Conservation, such standards in the Town of Westerly. Roman Catholic Mass, 8:30 a.m. Chaplin B. Barnes, Executive which Fred had helped to establish there, some Subsequently, the Conservancy published a Nondenominational “Union” Services, 10:30 a.m. ______________________________________ Director, is an attorney, a conserva- ten years earlier. book on the architecture of Watch Hill, Watch Communion at 10:30 services, July 7 and August 4 City:__________________________________ Hill Style. Earlier, the Conservancy had pub- tionist, and an amateur historian. Community Hymn Sings, July 28 and August 25, 5 p.m. Chuck Royce was an early Director of the During his active career, he has served State:_____________Zip:__________________ Conservancy and, like Fred, provided valuable lished my history of Watch Hill, Watch Hill Choral Evensong, Sunday, June 30, 5 p.m. Led by the Reverend Dr. W. Alfred Tisdale, as Director of the Office of seed money for the operation of the new entity.
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