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Scales of Sediment Biogeochemistry in Seagrass Beds: Implications for Restoration and Sustainability
This project explores how sediment quality and associated biogeochemical processes change with seagrass bed development and spatial distribution. We will investigate how these interactions affect bed sustainability and potential for successful SAV restoration. The study combines field experiments and laboratory growth assays in natural and transplanted SAV beds of different age, size and spatial distribution. We anticipate to significantly expand our basic understanding of mechanisms by which seagrass bed age, size and spatial distribution affect plant interactions with sediment nutrient cycling and biogeochemical processes, and how these properties serve as predictors of sediment quality for sustained SAV growth. This information will contribute to success of SAV transplanting initiatives and associated habitat restoration. Environmental science education activities in this project will help train the next generation of scientists and managers and expand general citizen awareness of estuarine ecology.
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Michael Kemp
Laura Murray
Jeffrey Cornwell
Horn Point Laboratory
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
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