153 



No eelgrass was found in either Great or Little Sippewisset 

 Marshes, but some Ruppia was reported in Quahog Pond. 



Falmouth: Woods Hole Area (Figs. 25 + 26) 



The map of eelgrass in the Woods Hole area was based primarily on 

 a 1975 aerial survey supplemented by 1971, 1978, and 1981 aerial surveys 

 and numerous field observations between 1981-1987. Biomass collections, 

 productivity measurements, or both were made in Great Harbor, south of 

 Uncatena, the East side of Juniper Pt., The Knob, west of Penzance 

 Point, and along Quisset Beach. 



This region offers diverse habitats for eelgrass growth, and depth 

 limits of growth range from 3.6 to 6.0 m MLW. For example, some areas, 

 such as the south side of Ram Island and the passages and harbors around 

 Nonamesset, Uncatena, and Naushon Island (not shown), are protected from 

 wave scouring and storms, but have a moderate current flow. The 

 sediments are often composed of fine anoxic mud and silt, especially 

 within the eelgrass beds. The combination of good water circulation and 

 this type of sediment often results in the most luxurious beds in the 

 region, with canopy height exceeding 1.5 m, and above ground biomass 

 greater than 250 g dry wt m~^. 



This area coincides with a glacial moraine, and large rock and 

 boulder fields are typical in this area, especially within the Hole and 

 at exposed points. At MLW, many of these algae covered boulder fields 

 are prominent at or just below the waters surface. Eelgrass is found in 

 these areas generally below 0.9 m MLW where there are patches of sand, 

 and more continuous beds are found to 5.5 m MLW. Some of these beds, 



