Project Description: This project entails three specific objectives related to mapping,
modeling, and restoration of seagrass meadows. Objective one entails the development of a GIS-based habitat suitability model that identifies factors preventing the recovery of eelgrass into previously suitable habitat at CACO and identifying potential areas for large-scale restoration of seagrass at the park. The second objective involves the application of habitat suitability models for CACO, FIIS and ASIS to identify specific optimal areas for restoration activities due to occur in 2025. Objective three, involves implementing pilot restoration at CACO through the collection of local seed across known resilient populations and field plantings with both local and outsourced seeds,followed up with genotype performance monitoring and evaluation post pilot restoration.
Lead Principal Investigator: Dr. Alyssa Novak, Boston University
Partner Institution: Boston University
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Federal Agency Technical Contact: Holly Plaisted
Start Year: 2024
End Year: 2027
Initial Funding Amount: $235,048.00
Federal Grant Number: P24AC02302