Seagrasses are a small group of around 60 flowering plants that mainly live in shallow waters from the tropics to the arctic. Although seagrasses are often confused with seaweeds, they are two very different groups; while seaweeds are relatively simple organisms that evolved from single-celled algae, seagrasses evolved from complex land plants and have leaves, stems, flowers, and roots. In fact, seagrasses are the only flowering plants that live their entire lives underwater. In a healthy ecosystem these grasses form vast meadows or beds, which are one of the most productive ecosystems in the world.
Seagrasses are important on many different levels as habitat, as part of the food chain, and as water quality control. We even rely on them too: many commercially important species, including Maryland’s blue crabs, depend on seagrass beds for shelter and nurseries.
Importance
By providing food and shelter for a wide variety of marine animals, seagrasses drastically increase local biodiversity. Many invertebrates, such as clams, worms, crabs, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and sea stars live in or on top of the soft sediment of seagrass beds. Seagrasses are also an important source of food for many different herbivores such as some species of sea turtles, sea urchins, and herbivorous fish.
Often, seagrass meadows are used as a nursery for juvenile animals. The structure and complexity of the beds create a shelter from predators, keeping young animals safe from harm. The location of seagrass beds also deters predators because they are less likely to forage in shallow waters. Additionally, the dense meadows absorb wave energy by providing resistance against the moving water. The tall fronds act as a refuge from strong currents, providing a safe, calm space for tiny juveniles to mature.
Just like trees and grasses on land help hold soil in place, the complex roots systems of seagrass beds help stabilize the sea floor. This stabilization, along with the reduction of wave energy, helps protect eroding coastlines from wave action due to currents and acts as a buffer against major storms.
Seagrass beds are also important for determining water quality and the overall health of an ecosystem. Seagrass traps fine sediment and particles that are suspended. The leaves slow water flow, which allows more sediment to settle to the bottom. As a result, the clarity of the water increases, which allows more light to penetrate. This light promotes growth of seagrasses, which improves oxygen levels in the water. When seagrass make their food through photosynthesis, they produce oxygen that is vital to the health of other marine organisms. Just a square meter of seagrass can release 10 liters of oxygen in a single day!
Seagrasses recycle a lot of nutrients through decomposition and reabsorption. When seagrass decomposes, nutrients are released and reabsorbed by surrounding seagrasses and phytoplankton. Seagrass beds also filter out nutrients that come into the water through industrial discharge and agricultural and stormwater runoff. This filtration protects other habitats that are much more sensitive to this kind of nutrient loading. These beds also play an incredibly important role as carbon sinks. Carbon sinks are natural environments that suck carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it for a long period of time.
Protection
It is extremely important to protect and preserve these habitats because of the important roles they play and because we are losing seagrass at an alarming rate. Existing seagrass beds are declining at a rate of around 1.5% per year. Their losses have a major effect on marine biodiversity and on humans. Watermen whose livelihoods rely on a big harvest need seagrass beds to keep their catch coming back year after year. A number of threatened species, such as green sea turtles and some species of seahorses, also rely heavily on sea grasses and would go extinct without them. Seagrasses are vulnerable to excessive nutrient loading, diseases, temperature rise, and human activity such as dredging, overfishing, and trawling.
Restoration Work
However, recent restoration plans have been put into action. For example, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science planted 7.65 million seagrass seeds in in the Chesapeake Bay and off the coast of Virginia in 2014. In our Coastal Bays, there has been a slight increase in coverage, but we are still 10,000 acres short of our peak in 2001. Seagrasses here are suffering greatly and most of the bays have an F grade in this category. That being said, there are always ways you can help. Since seagrasses are affected by excessive nutrients, it is important to be mindful of the amount of fertilizer used on your lawn. In addition, knowing where seagrass beds are located and avoiding them while boating will prevent scarring and can help coverage increase.
About the Author
Arianna Russo was a Chesapeake Conservation Corps Member stationed with the Maryland Coastal Bays Program in 2018-2019. For more information on MCBP, please visit their website and Facebook.
On March 22, 2022, Atlantic General’s Materials Management team helped load $30,000 worth of medical supplies onto a Schell Brothers truck for transport. The donated cases of isolation gowns and coveralls, gloves, masks, body bags, face shields and hydrogen peroxide wipes are bound for Ukraine and the efforts of local relief groups providing first aid, home medical care, and evacuation of wounded Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.
“What a perfect way to spend an evening – a cold beer in your hand and Jimmy Charles performing with his full band,” said Jellyfish founder and director Brad Hoffman. “One of Ocean City’s favorite sons, returning from Nashville. He promises to put on a rocking show that will leave fans wanting more.”
over the June 4-5 weekend is the fan favorite 
Easter Art & Craft Show & Kids Fun Fair will be held at the Convention Center Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 5pm. The Easter Art & Craft Show will feature artists and crafters displaying unique and creative handcrafted items including photography, jewelry, lawn and garden decor, wearable art, & more! The Easter Kids Fun Fair: Continuous activities, games, contests, and entertainment including Beanny the Easter Bunny, Easter Egg Hunts, magic & juggling shows, & more. More information can be found 
Trimper’s
Trimper Rides of Ocean City
Berlin Md will host its Spring Celebration on Saturday April 16th from 10am – 5pm. Spend the day enjoying this great little town just a few miles west of Ocean City.
Organizers are gearing up for this event highlighting much of the Eastern Shore, set for April 9th. Designed as a 21 and up scavenger hunt, organizers hide decorated empty kegs across the local region, from Cambridge, Maryland to Laurel, Delaware, and back to Ocean City. Find out more about this event 
Horizons Oceanfront Restaurant at the Ocean City Fontainebleau Resort have an Easter Breakfast Buffet from 7am – 1pm, and a Holiday Buffet from 1pm – 8pm on Easter Sunday. The Easter Bunny will also be there from 7am – 3pm on Sunday. Ronan Trio will be playing on the conference terrace landing under the fish from 10am – 1pm.
The
Harpoon Hannas will be serving an off menu brunch on Easter Sunday from 10 am – 1 pm and starting their dinner service at 1 pm, on a first come, first served basis.
Baja Amusements in West Ocean City will be open this weekend. Stop by and race your friends and family on one of their 8 go-kart tracks. 410-213-2252. Half a mile further along the road you’ll find 8 other tracks at 
Flagship Cinema
As war breaks out across the world between Russia and Ukraine, many here in the United States are left wondering how this unfathomable conflict impacts us. We have all witnessed frightening scenes of warfare in the media and know that the economic and humanitarian impact of the invasion is immeasurable. However, here in Ocean City, Maryland, this latest international conflict is quite personal. Without the kindness, hard work, and grit of countless young Ukrainians over the years, the resort would not be able to serve and bring smiles to its visitors each summer. 
Mayor Meehan is not the only resort leader making his voice heard. Council Secretary Tony DeLuca tells 
Visual displays have continued throughout the week, with Jolly Roger Amusement Parks lighting its iconic Ferris wheel in blue and yellow with a heart beating in the center. 
“One person that sticks out in my mind is actually from Moldova which is the country just to the south and west of Ukraine but also used to be a part of the USSR. One of our favorite teammates is Stan, who is from Moldova. Russia interferes with their country too, and they even have a separatist region called Tranistia that is controlled by Russian sympathizers,” White explained. “Stan wants what we call ‘The American Dream’ that we take for granted. I reached out to him recently and there is worry that his country is next. Moldova is very poor compared to Ukraine and much more reliant on Russia so they would never stand a chance. They need folks like Stan to fight the good fight, but he is looking to leave his homeland to be safe and prosperous – something we just take for granted in America.”
Sweeping changes will get underway shortly, but for longtime patrons, management assures that they will still experience everything they have come to value about the hotel. 
The Fontainebleau
“Our culture and the fact that we have a lot of longevity has served us well and will continue to make us unique. We have so many repeat guests that appreciate our location and amenities. I believe that they will continue to patronize our property,” Elman added. 
Ocean City is home to countless spectacular restaurants, but the best spot in town on St. Patrick’s Day is undoubtedly Shenanigan’s. For an Irish Pub, this holiday is their New Year’s Eve! Follow the rainbow to Shenanigans for a weekend of live music, entertainment, and fun! The restaurant will officially reopen on Thursday, March 10 at 4pm, and continue with festivities throughout the weekend. Friday March 11th they will open at 11am, and Saturday March 12th opening time will be at 9am! Live music will inlude James Gallagher and Off The Boat, Tig Tigner, OC Pipe Band, and Chesapeake Caledonia Pipe Band! Click 
Pickles Pub also plans to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. On March 12, they will have entertainment, plus drink and food specials including a Clover Crush, an Irish Mule, corned beef and cabbage, and shepherd’s pie!
Baja Amusements on Rt 50 in West Ocean City will be open the weekend of March 12 and 13th at 11am. Get your family and friends together for a race around the tracks!
The Princess Bayside is in the center of the St Patrick’s Day parades, making it your perfect base for the weekend. Finnigan’s Pub at the hotel will be open for drinks all weekend long! Rooms are going fast so don’t delay and book the lowest rates today at their website 
The 
It seems like we are saying that you should stay put when you visit the Ocean City Fountainebleau Resort. There is a lot to do around town, but here is another enticement to stay on property. They have a fitness center which offers a cardio room, weight room with Life Fitness Circuit and free weights, a steam room, sauna, and hot tub!
The Thaler Gallery opens a photography show by George Sass of St. Michaels, Md. After 25 years of running an advertising agency in Annapolis, New York, and Europe, Sass started a new career as a photo journalist for the yachting industry, traveling the world for national publications. Sass’s current focus is fine art photography, and he also volunteers as a photographer for the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.
