Title:  Sargassum Mitigation Location in Barbados

Principle Investigator: Dr. Elizabeth Lacey

Abstract
Sargassum, which is normally viewed as a species that forms a highly productive ecosystem in the open ocean, has been causing problems on and around Caribbean shores both ecologically and economically.  

Sargassum Mitigation Location in Barbados

It forms thick mats which shade and suffocate other ecosystems, such as seagrass beds, as they travel nearshore and begin to decompose.Barbados’ beaches used for recreational and commercial purposes have been initiated with Sargassum. The Barbados government needs to focus their mitigation effort.

Title:  Changing Seagrass on the Barnegat Bay

Principle Investigator: Dr. Elizabeth Lacey

Abstract
Seagrass in Barnegat-Bay Little Egg Harbor Estuary can be used as a bioindicator to judge ecosystem health. Data on seagrass percent cover, biomass, epiphytic coverage, and macroalgae biomass were collected at nine sites in both spring and fall of 2015 and 2017. This data show that the estuary is experiencing environmental change, which is leading to a degradation of the ecosystem and could cause a cascade of negative responses both environmentally and socioeconomically. 

Changing Seagrass Pattern on the Barnegat Bay

Sargassum, which is normally viewed as a species that forms a highly productive ecosystem in the open ocean, has been causing problems on and around Caribbean shores both ecologically and economically. It forms thick mats which shade and suffocate other ecosystems, such as seagrass beds, as they travel nearshore and begin to decompose. Barbados’ beaches used for recreational and commercial purposes have been initiated with Sargassum. The Barbados government needs to focus their mitigation effort.