On scuba, four hobologgers connected to PVC tubes will be randomly distributed throughout the eelgrass bed to collect light and temperature data. These will have to be regularly cleaned once a week. Twice a month for 12 months, a 30m transect will be placed parallel to the shore. Every meter, a drop sample will be taken with a core sample next to it. A drop sample consists of a cylinder 20cm in diameter with a bag connected to the back. It is dropped over the eelgrass, and the eelgrass is pulled up with the epifaunal community, which is then collected in the bag. A core sample consists of a cylinder of the same diameter being pushed into the ground 6 inches deep and removed to collect full eelgrass shoots with rhizomes attached. This will result in 60 total samples being collected.

Approved