.
[5]
In many locations along the United States east coast eelgrass coverage has declined by more than 50% (Short et al. 1993,Thayer et al. 1975). The decline is attributed to reduced water quality and clarity resulting from nutrient loading and other polluting runoff, as well as sedimentation from coastal development. Warming waters is also a major concern. Nutrient loading results in algal and plankton blooms, starving light-loving eelgrass. Environmental regulations have decreased the amount of nutrients entering the near-shore environment, presenting a restoration opportunity.
