Facilitating the protection and restoration of species and ecosystems at risk on BC’s South Coast
Eelgrass
An integral part of South Coast estuaries, bays and inlets, eelgrass communities are one of the most productive and vulnerable ecological communities of BC's Salish Sea. Eelgrass "meadows" function like biodiverse aquatic pastures, nurseries and refuges for a range of species, as well as foraging grounds for numerous resident and migratory waterbirds.
Eelgrass is often mistaken for a seaweed, but it is actually a flowering aquatic plant which has evolved to colonize the marine environment. The combination of fresh and salt water, sediment, light and organisms interact to form a unique and biodiverse system. It is estimated that over 80 percent of commercial fish and shellfish species depend on eelgrass habitat at some point in their lifecycle. On the South Coast the Fraser Estuary, Robert's Bank, Sturgeon Bank and Boundary Bay support one of the most extensive and contiguous eelgrass communities globally. Industrial, residential and recreational development and activities continue to put eelgrass communities under pressure and have resulted in the loss of a number of historic eelgrass communities, especially in places like Vancouver Harbour. Eelgrass beds also assist in coastal protection by supplying a physical barrier and reducing coastline erosion. Restoration of eelgrass communities is underway in Burrard Inlet and Howe Sound.
Download Species Fact Sheet in PDF
RESOURCES
For further information see:
The Islands Trust Fund is mapping nearshore eelgrass habitat in the Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound, in partnership with SeaChange Marine Conservation Society, the Mayne Island Conservancy Society and the Seagrass Conservation Working Group.
A source for authoritative conservation information on thousands of plants and animals and hundreds of ecological communities in BC. From here connect to all provincial and federal recovery plans (including the SARA Registry), COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada), Identified Wildlife guidance and conservation requirements for specific species and ecological communities of conservation concern impacted by forestry activities) and links to E-Flora and E-Fauna (the Electronic Atlas of the Plants and Wildlife of British Columbia).
A joint venture resource providing comprehensive information on a range of species and ecological communities specific to the Coast Region of BC (including the South, Central and North Coast, Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii).
Environmental guidelines for urban and rural land development in BC.
Learn what species are at risk in your area, search by name, habitat type, regional district and forest district.
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