Changes in eelgrass, widgeongrass, and temperature over time (IMAGE)
Caption
CAPTION: Eelgrass (blue) extent has decreased over the last 40 years, especially as the mean summer temperature (light red) in the lower Chesapeake Bay has risen enough to frequently exceed eelgrass’ ~25 °C mean summer temperature limit (light red shaded horizontal line). With both eelgrass’ habitat loss and successful Bay-wide nutrient reductions that increased water clarity, the area covered by temperature tolerant widgeongrass (green) greatly expanded. Widgeongrass temperature maxima are not reached in Chesapeake Bay.
Credit
Dr. Marc Hensel
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