154 



such GHIO and PPl, are extensive. Percent cover of eelgrass was 

 adjusted for rock and algal cover in some areas. 



The area east of Nobska Pt. was not included in the area summary 

 of eelgrass in Buzzards Bay. This is high current velocity environment 

 with a coarse sand and gravel bottom, little drift algae, and eelgrass 

 growth to 6.0 m MLW in the clear water here. 



Elizabeth Islands 



The distribution of eelgrass on the Elizabeth Islands was not 

 mapped, but eelgrass bed area was estimated to calculate total eelgrass 

 production in Buzzards Bay. Eelgrass bed area was estimated from 

 potential substrate area and eelgrass bed-substrate ratios (c.f. Chapter 

 1) and assumptions made from aerial photographs and field observations 

 in several areas. 



The islands are composed of diverse habitats. In protected coves, 

 eelgrass grows in the intertidal to 2 m. Most of the shores facing 

 Buzzards Bay however, are high energy, rocky environments, and eelgrass 

 usually does not grow above 1.0 m MLW because of wave scour. Eelgrass 

 grows deeper around the Islands than along the mainland part of Buzzards 

 Bay because water transparency is better: on the outer coast eelgrass 

 was observed at 6.0 m on the northeast end of the chain, and divers 

 reported eelgrass growing in excess of 10 m on outer portions of the 

 Island chain. 



Even though eelgrass grows deeper in the Elizabeth Islands than 

 other parts of Buzzards Bay, it is less abundant here because the 

 beaches have very steep slopes, and large portions of potential 



