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with ice accumulation or storms. These declines are enigmatic, but are 

 probably linked with pollution events, because both areas have been 

 developed for many decades, and have had variable water quality in the 

 past. 



Most recent declines in eelgrass abundance in Buzzards Bay that 

 are not related to physical removal have occured in areas where there 

 are large anthropogenic inputs in relation to local flushing rates. 

 There are unanswered questions concerning human impact on eelgrass 

 abundance, but it is clear from this and other studies that eelgrass is 

 sensitive to water quality decline. Therefore, in light of increasing 

 rate of developement and discharges along the shores of the Buzzards 

 Bay, it is likely that new declines in eelgrass cover will occur. 



