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Eelgrass is the predominant aquatic plant within embayments of southwestern Alaska and provides an important habitat for birds, fish, and invertebrates. The USGS has conducted extensive research on the status, trends, and use of eelgrass by migratory birds in southwestern Alaska primarily at the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
Return to Ecosystems
Along the coast of southwestern Alaska in sheltered embayments, eelgrass (Zostera marina) forms some of the largest seagrass meadows in the world. These meadows support a rich diversity of marine organisms, including virtually the entire population of Pacific black brant (Brant bernicla) outside of their summer breeding season.
Black brant feed on the eelgrass to meet energy demands in fall for transoceanic migrations south, and in spring for coastal migrations north and egg-laying during breeding. In winter, an increasing number of black brant that do not migrate south, rely on eelgrass for winter forage.
The USGS has conducted assessments of eelgrass abundance and distribution throughout southwestern Alaska (see maps) to better understand the status and trends of this important habitat.
Below are photos associated with this project.
USGS Geneticist Damian Menning is performing eDNA sampling at Grant Point in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. This eDNA sampling is part of a project looking for eelgrass (Zostera marina) pathogens in the North Pacific. Izembek NWR is on the Alaska Peninsula located between the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska.
USGS Geneticist Damian Menning is performing eDNA sampling at Grant Point in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. This eDNA sampling is part of a project looking for eelgrass (Zostera marina) pathogens in the North Pacific. Izembek NWR is on the Alaska Peninsula located between the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska.
Carol Damberg (USFWS) conducting survey of eelgrass (Zostera marina) in Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, 2015.
Carol Damberg (USFWS) conducting survey of eelgrass (Zostera marina) in Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, 2015.
Pacific brant feeding on submerged eelgrass at Grant Point, Izembek Lagoon, Alaska.
Pacific brant feeding on submerged eelgrass at Grant Point, Izembek Lagoon, Alaska.
Eelgrass (Zolstera marina) in Kinzarof Lagoon
Eelgrass (Zolstera marina) in Kinzarof Lagoon
Eelgrass is the predominant aquatic plant within embayments of southwestern Alaska and provides an important habitat for birds, fish, and invertebrates. The USGS has conducted extensive research on the status, trends, and use of eelgrass by migratory birds in southwestern Alaska primarily at the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
Return to Ecosystems
Along the coast of southwestern Alaska in sheltered embayments, eelgrass (Zostera marina) forms some of the largest seagrass meadows in the world. These meadows support a rich diversity of marine organisms, including virtually the entire population of Pacific black brant (Brant bernicla) outside of their summer breeding season.
Black brant feed on the eelgrass to meet energy demands in fall for transoceanic migrations south, and in spring for coastal migrations north and egg-laying during breeding. In winter, an increasing number of black brant that do not migrate south, rely on eelgrass for winter forage.
The USGS has conducted assessments of eelgrass abundance and distribution throughout southwestern Alaska (see maps) to better understand the status and trends of this important habitat.
Below are photos associated with this project.
USGS Geneticist Damian Menning is performing eDNA sampling at Grant Point in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. This eDNA sampling is part of a project looking for eelgrass (Zostera marina) pathogens in the North Pacific. Izembek NWR is on the Alaska Peninsula located between the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska.
USGS Geneticist Damian Menning is performing eDNA sampling at Grant Point in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. This eDNA sampling is part of a project looking for eelgrass (Zostera marina) pathogens in the North Pacific. Izembek NWR is on the Alaska Peninsula located between the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska.
Carol Damberg (USFWS) conducting survey of eelgrass (Zostera marina) in Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, 2015.
Carol Damberg (USFWS) conducting survey of eelgrass (Zostera marina) in Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, 2015.
Pacific brant feeding on submerged eelgrass at Grant Point, Izembek Lagoon, Alaska.
Pacific brant feeding on submerged eelgrass at Grant Point, Izembek Lagoon, Alaska.
Eelgrass (Zolstera marina) in Kinzarof Lagoon
Eelgrass (Zolstera marina) in Kinzarof Lagoon