152 



Falmouth: Megansett to West Falmouth Harbor (Figs. 21 + 22) 



These maps were based on from 1972, 1975, 1980, 1981 aerial 

 surveys. The distribution of eelgrass in West Falmouth Harbor was based 

 on a 1979 low altitude survey and maps by Buchsbaum (1985). 



Eelgrass is absent from along Silver Beach which may be due to the 

 strong wave action and longshore transport apparent on photographs. 

 Water clarity is good in this part of Buzzards Bay because eelgrass 

 grows to 4.5 m MLW on most of the outer coast. 



Accumulated drift material and Ruppia in West Falmouth Harbor malce 

 interpretation of aerial photographs difficult, especially in upper 

 estuarine ares like Harbor Head. To adjust for algal cover, eelgrass 

 cover was estimated as 50% of vegetated habitat area. 



The deeper edge of eelgrass off Chappaquoit Pt. and the Falmouth 

 Cliffs follow the 3.6 to 4.5 m contour. 



FalBouth: Chappaquoit Point to Gunning Point (Figs. 23 + 24) 



Aerial surveys from 1975, 1978, and 1981 were u^ed to make this 

 map. Field observations were made near Great Sippewisset Marsh. 



This is a moderate energy environment with sand and rock covered 

 shores. In addition, numerous peat reefs occur nearshore along both 

 Little and Great Sippewisset Marshes. The deep beds offshore visible on 

 photographs (to 4.2 m MLW) are consistent with bathymetry but may 

 include rock fields. The percent cover of eelgrass beds in these and 

 other rocky areas like Hamlin and Gunning Points (beds FAGU3, FAHPl, 

 FAHP2) were reduced by 30% cover to account for rock and cobble fields. 



