Eelgrass shoot density measurements taken during ecological field surveys along the eastern Pacific coast in June through August of 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Abstract

These data were collected during ecological field surveys of eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows along the eastern Pacific from southeastern Alaska to southern California. Parameters measured include seagrass morphology, meadow condition (e.g. shoot densities), and incidence and severity of eelgrass wasting disease. Data were collected within the intertidal area of 32 eelgrass meadows distributed in six regions (five-six meadows sampled in the regions of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California - Bodega Bay, and California - San Diego). Surveys were conducted in between late June and early August in 2019, 2020, and 2021 by teams from six institutions. The influence of disease on seagrass dynamics is not well understood, and these data can further understanding of the environmental drivers of disease by connecting wasting disease with eelgrass condition across a broad geographic gradient.

For a complete list of measurements, refer to the full dataset description in the supplemental file 'Dataset_description.pdf'. The most current version of this dataset is available at: https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/879764