Channel Islands
HABITAT FEATURE
Eelgrass Meadow
Found in the shallow, sandy, coastal waters of temperate regions around the world, eelgrass meadows provide important ecosystem services and provide habitat for a broad array of fish and invertebrate species. Eelgrass is a type of seagrass – a flowering plant that grows underwater. Their roots provide stability and structure in an otherwise loose, sandy seafloor, help reduce coastal erosion, and filter contaminants from runoff. Along the Southern California coast within Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, eelgrass meadows occur off of Anacapa, Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa islands.
