88 



hurricane in 1954 destroyed some shallow beds that were established by 

 1951 (Fig. 8) . This disturbance resulted in slower eelgrass expansion, 

 rather than decline, when total eelgrass cover is examined (Fig. 9, 

 top) , because eelgrass cover expanded in deeper areas during the 

 photograph sequence that included this storm. 



By 1971, most of East Bay was colonized with eelgrass, including 

 very shallow stations nearshore (Fig. 8 and 9, top) . The decline in 

 early 1971 (Fig. 9) is an artifact because this datum is based on a 

 photograph taken in early spring, while the data surrounding it are from 

 Fall surveys. Because the beds in the shallowest parts of the cove are 

 mostly annual populations, they are not always apparent in early spring 

 photographs. The decline in 1981, however, is based on Fall imagery, 

 and probably due to storms and ice scouring in the late 1970's. 

 Declines during this period occurred elsewhere in Buzzards Bay as well 

 (see Great Neck, Wareham description below). 



The west shore of East Bay has been conspicuously eroding, and the 

 width of vegetated land between the beach and a salt marsh drainage 

 channel was measured on eight positions on different dates. Erosion 

 rate was higher prior to eelgrass colonization than after (Fig. 9). 

 This may not be due to solely to the damping or baffling effects of 

 eelgrass offshore since hurricanes in 1954 and 1960 probably account for 

 the higher rates observed during those periods. Eelgrass must play a 

 role, however, since the Blizzard of 1978, a powerful northeaster that 

 eroded other areas (Aubrey and Speer, 1984; Zeeb, 1985), did not result 

 in appreciably higher erosion rates here. 



