SUMMARY

Increased turbidity contributes to seagrass decline and remains a major concern in their restoration as seagrasses demand higher levels of light to support their growth and survival than other marine plants such as seaweeds. Here, we focus on the connection between the net primary productivity (NPP) of eelgrass populations at Sequim Bay and the corresponding light levels over a two-week growing period at three sites within the bay (Washington Harbor, on the beach, off the laboratory dock). To do so, I measured irradiance and the growth rate to determine approximately how much growth occurred during certain light levels. These results will aid in the restoration and management of eelgrass in the Washington Harbor restoration site, and add to the knowledge regarding the issue of the effects of reduction of light caused by increasing turbidity in coastal systems.