SSH Seminar: Genetic Diversity in Meadows under the Sea: Causes and Consequences of Diversity in the Seagrass Zostera marina
Presented by Dr. Cynthia Hays: Zostera marina, or eelgrass, is a marine plant that forms nearshore meadows that buffer the coastline from erosion and provide habitat for many fish and invertebrate species. Eelgrass reproduces sexually (with flowers and seeds) as well as asexually, and different meadows differ considerably in genetic diversity; these differences can affect the meadow’s ability to withstand and recover from environmental stressors. Dr. Hays and her students are using a combination of experiments in the lab and field, along with molecular genetic analysis, to explore the mechanisms generating genetic diversity in eelgrass meadows and what it means for the way these habitats function.
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