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MEPS
Marine Ecology Progress Series

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MEPS 448:173-176 (2012)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps09596

INTRODUCTION
Eelgrass recovery in the coastal bays of the Virginia Coast Reserve, USA

Robert J. Orth1,*, Karen J. McGlathery2,**

1Virginia Institute of Marine Science, School of Marine Science, 1208 Greate Road, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, Virginia 23062, USA
2Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, PO Box 400123, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, USA

ABSTRACT: Coastal bay systems are prominent features of coastlines on nearly all continents and are vulnerable to long-term environmental changes related to climate and nutrient over-enrichment. Eelgrass Zostera marina disappeared in the 1930s from the coastal bays of the Virginia Coast Reserve, USA, primarily due to a wasting disease and the effects of a hurricane. It has been re-established recently as a result of a large-scale seeding and restoration effort. The contributions to this Theme Section provide the most comprehensive account available of large-scale recovery of an eelgrass ecosystem, the consequences of the state change from a bare-sediment system to eelgrass dominance, and projections of meadow resilience to future climate change scenarios.


KEY WORDS: Zostera marina · Coastal restoration · State change · Regime shift


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Cite this article as: Orth RJ, McGlathery KJ (2012) Eelgrass recovery in the coastal bays of the Virginia Coast Reserve, USA. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 448:173-176. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps09596

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