Habitat

Zostera marina belongs to the group of submerged plants collectively named seagrasses which grow in sub-artic, temperate and tropical coastal marine and estuarine waters (Wyllie-Echeverria et al., 2003).

Z. marina can be found growing in the muddy or sandy substrate of the shallow sub-tidal zone. The lower limit of its depth distribution often depends on a number of interrelated factors, including the availability of suitable substrate, current velocity, light penetration, exposure to waves, and turbidity (Phillips, 1984).

Distribution

Z. marina can be found on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the United States as well as throughout Europe and eastern Asia.  In the San Juan County, WA, Z. marina is commonly found in coastal embayments or linearly along the shoreline as patchy or continuous seagrass beds.

© Jessica Smith 2008