Assessing the potential for eelgrass restoration in the Squamish Estuary, British Columbia

The primary goal of this thesis project was to assess the potential for conducting eelgrass (Zostera marina) restoration in the Squamish Estuary, British Columbia. Eelgrass restoration was considered from a community-based approach as a means to restore critical fisheries habitat and other key ecosystem services in the estuary. These processes have been negatively affected by the loss of estuarine habitat caused by past and present industrial, commercial and residential development in the Squamish Estuary and its surrounding watersheds. An assessment of the restoration of eelgrass in this area must take into account the dynamic environmental characteristics of this region, in order to determine if they meet the habitat requirements for eelgrass survival and growth, which has not been previously studied in fjordal estuaries. Test plots of eelgrass were planted at two sites in the estuary, Cattermole Slough (CAT) and Stawamus Estuary (STA), in order to assess the survivorship of eelgrass, as well as the physical/chemical variables in these two locations. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...