You could say the best thing about seagrass is that you don’t have to mow it.
Okay, that may be a stretch.
But in truth, seagrass is beneficial in its role as an important coastal habitat. That’s because young ocean-going fish can grow and develop in seagrass beds before setting out on their journey of life.
coastal region
Seagrass Science
Scientists discover and analyze the important function of seagrass beds as not only habitats, but as buffer zones and water purifiers.
Here Comes the Sea: Lesson Plan
Learn about how sea-level rise is affecting the coast of North Carolina, what the predictions are for future sea-level rise, and how coastal communities can take steps to cope with sea-level rise.
Sittin' at the Bottom of the Bay: Lesson Plan
Explore the ecosystems of Pamlico Sound, which scientists are aiming to protect through improved dredging activity and other environmental measures.
Sensational Silt
Whether or not it is known by the proper name, we all know what silt can do.
Silt, deposited by the yearly flooding along the Nile River, created the rich and fertile soil of the Nile Delta that help the ancient Egyptians survive.
Sittin' at the Bottom of the Bay
Scientists tackle a number of coastal challenges that stem from shifting sediment that fills transport channels in the Pamlico Sound, including managing dredged materials to make room for ferries, uncovering items of cultural importance, and preserving valuable sea grass.
Protecting Piping Plovers
The piping plover was named for its melodic mating call. It’s an enchanting sound if you are lucky enough to be on a beach with several pairs of birds at the right time.
The Changing Outer Banks
Ask almost anyone in the country to describe North Carolina’s Outer Banks and they could probably name a few images easily — the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the wild horses, wide strips of sandy beach, and the Wright Brothers monument.
The Outer Banks are so ingrained into our collective national consciousness that people can visualize the coastal region without ever visiting it. The irony is that while images of the Outer Banks remain the same, the islands are constantly changing. They are supposed to.
Tracing the Coastline
Before you can know what coastline is lost to hurricanes and sea level rise, you need to know what land is there. Researchers have finished the most complete mapping of the NC coast including oceanside, bayside, and all of the estuaries. Now they can track what happens next.
Tidal Power
What won’t work in North Carolina?
Scientists are focusing on three sources of renewable energy from the oceans: wind power, wave power, and harnessing of the energy of the Gulf Stream. All of them have tremendous potential as a source of energy. They also present major challenges. However, there is another ocean energy source that has already been ruled out: tidal power.