New York’s underwater forests are disappearing due to pollution, extreme weather

Undulating meadows of seagrass beneath the Hudson River are key indicators of the waterway’s health — but the dense underwater fields have shrunk by more than 40% over the past two decades.

In the Hudson River, water celery and a variety of pondweed are the most commonly found submerged vegetation in shallower waters. The underwater fields of swaying tall grasses reach about 3 or 4 feet in height and are a nursery for many larval and juvenile fish, including alewife, perch and carp. The seagrass meadows provide minnows, shad and blueback herring with safe places to hide from predators.

“ creates diversity, niche space, and it allows for collections of species to thrive there collectively and provides refuge protection, oxygen, absorbs carbon dioxide, filters, sediments,” Jackman said. “You couldn't have a more perfect machine and that's what plants do: They provide the foundation for a lot of our ecosystems.

In a healthy waterway, the submerged aquatic vegetation helps keep the water clear by filtering sediment through its roots and leaves. Boats are another problem, as their propellers can chop up the ribbonlike sea grasses, which can take several years to regrow.

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