ecosystem solutions
DESCRIPTION
"Pelletizing Seeds for Habitat Restoration"TRANSCRIPT
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV):
A Restoration Solution for the Chesapeake Bay
ECOSYSTEM SOLUTIONS, INC
Ecological Importance of SAV
• Filtration• Essential blue crab habitat• Minimizes erosion • Habitat for more fish• Food for waterfowl• SAV loss
The Problem• Poor Water Quality• NO LIGHT!
Solution
•More grasses• BETTER WATER CLARITY•More grasses
Submerged AquaticVegetation (SAV) Restoration
Old techniques (adult plants, seeds, tubers)• Limited success• High cost• Labor intensive
Seed-based restoration
Advantages• Large areas can be restored• Low cost• Unlike adult plants, no harvesting
impact
Encapsulated Eelgrass Seeds
• Agricultural success• Low cost• Easily dispersed• Sinks quickly• Stays put• Higher germination rate• Pelletized seeds for aquatic
plants not currently available
Ease of Handling
Raw seed
Encapsulated seed
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Nov 7 Nov 9 Nov 14
Pe
rce
nt g
erm
ina
tio
n
Date
Germination of Encapsulated and Untreated Z. marina Seeds
Untreated
Encapsulated
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
0.12
0.14
0.16
0.18
0.2
Raw Encapsulated
Se
ttli
ng
ve
loc
ity (
m/s
)Settling Velocities of
Untreated and Encapsulated Z. marina seeds
BenefitsPotential for widespread solution for Bay restoration
• Supports Presidential mandate• Unlimited scalability• Public participation• Self-sustaining and perpetual
Educational opportunities• Student participation• State curriculum requirement
Corporate Social Responsibility• Resource protection• Local community
Future
If funded, we can: • Complete laboratory and field trials• Increase scale• Develop commercialization potential• Apply to other aquatic species
Funding Requirements: $250,000
ESI is a 501(c)3 non-profit research organization Funding is sought through corporate and personal philanthropy Foundation and governmental grants
Contact:Bob Murphy
Director, Ecosystem Solutions(410) 935-0996