Dock Design with the Environment in Mind: Minimizing Dock Impacts to Eelgrass Habitats

By David M. Burdick & Frederick T. Short

Dock Design with the Environment in Mind is an interactive environmental CD-ROM with 4 major pathways

Eelgrass Functions and Values

Eelgrass is an underwater marine flowering plant that forms meadows in estuaries and the coastal ocean.

Eelgrass functions to

  • Form critical habitat.
  • Filter nutrients and sediments
  • Provide nursery for fish and shellfish.
  • Stabilize bottom sediments
  • Form the basis of a marine food web
The values of eelgrass include
  • Improved water quality
  • Increased fisheries
  • Enhanced estuarine habitat

Eelgrass can be damaged by docks and other boating activities.
 

Design and Build a Dock

An interactive challenge to design and construct a dock which will allow eelgrass to grow beneath it.

 

You have the option of choosing

  • Dock orientation
  • Fixed or floating dock style
  • Height
  • Width

You can consult with a scientist and an engineer to plan your dock.

This CD simulates your dock design and its impact on the environment.

Dock Design Options

You will then get feedback from a marine resource protection agent on your dock's impact on the environment.

Keep trying until the eelgrass thrives!

The Scientific Basis

Provides the scientific report documenting the study of dock characteristics and their impact on eelgrass growth and survival.

 

Eelgrass Project Limits

A description of the limitations of the study, explaining the extent of its application.

Further research needs are also described.

Computer Requirements

Macintosh Systems

  • System 7.x or higher
  • 68040 processer or better
  • 8MB RAM, 16MB preferred
  • 2x CD-ROM drive
PC Systems
  • Windows 95 or later
  • Pentium 60MHz processor or better
  • 8MB RAM, 16MB preferred
  • 2x CD-ROM drive

QuickTime for Macintosh is available on the CD; install if needed.
For more information about Dock Design with the Environment in Mind CD-ROM, e-mail fred.short@unh.edu.

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Last updated May 31, 2005