SAV: Restoring our Underwater Prairies

No matter what they're called—underwater grasses, baygrasses, or submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV)—underwater flowering plants play a key role in the health of the Chesapeake Bay and coastal waters worldwide. Follow along as the the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and a host of state and federal partners monitor and restore these fascinating plants to ensure they continue to benefit marine life and coastal communities. VIMS researchers began monitoring the Bay's changing SAV coverage in 1978, and have pioneered methods to restore eelgrass to Virginia's seaside lagoons—the world's most successful seagrass restoration project.