Eelgrass

An important food source for waterbirds.

Eelgrass Photo: Eric Heupel

No matter where you live, chances are you and your family are benefiting from eelgrass. This beautiful plant provides dozens of ecosystem services and provides essential habitat for coastal birds. 

Eelgrass on the U.S. West Coast is a member of the family of sea grasses called Zosteraceae and belongs to the higher taxonomic group of flowering plants called angisosperms. The blades of eelgrass are similar to those found in common grass species and depending on the zone, these could grow up to 4 feet in length. 

As a crucial nursery habitat for crabs, salmon, and other wildlife, eelgrass boosts the economies of our coastal communities through fisheries and tourism. Healthy eelgrass beds also clean and filter water, absorb climate-warming carbon, and act as natural buffers to protect the coastline during storms.

Within San Francisco Estuary, Richardson Bay stands out as a particularly unique location for eelgrass restoration. It harbors the second-largest extant eelgrass bed in the estuary, and plants with the most genetic diversity of six beds sampled. Further, a model of environmental conditions in the estuary has identified Richardson Bay as the area with the greatest area suitable for restoration (Merkel and Associates 2004). Hence, Richardson Bay is highly valued both for its existing eelgrass resources and its potential for restoration.

Read All About Eelgrass in this downloadable fact sheet in English and Spanish.

What is eelgrass?

What animals rely on eelgrass?

Why should you care about eelgrass?

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The Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary is a remarkable slice of nature on the shores of the San Francisco Bay.

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It's on! Herring Run in SF Bay Attracts Thousands of Birds
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Restoring the vital native plant requires hard work and cold water.

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Lesser Scaup

Latin:  Aythya affinis

Illustration for Lesser Scaup

Greater Scaup

Latin:  Aythya marila

Illustration for Greater Scaup

Surf Scoter

Latin:  Melanitta perspicillata

Illustration for Surf Scoter

Brant

Latin:  Branta bernicla

Illustration for Brant

Greater Yellowlegs

Latin:  Tringa melanoleuca

Illustration for Greater Yellowlegs

Horned Grebe

Latin:  Podiceps auritus

Illustration for Horned Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Latin:  Nannopterum auritum

Illustration for Double-crested Cormorant

Western Grebe

Latin:  Aechmophorus occidentalis

Illustration for Western Grebe

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