URBANS Environmental Team have recently been conducting Eel Grass (Zostera sp.) (Aquatic Reed) removal throughout Blake’s Lake, Blakesview for the City of Playford.
These works are a continued collaboration with the City of Playford to enhance the amenity value of this great community space.
Eel grass (Zostera sp.) – comes from the Greek word ‘Zoster’ meaning; A belt, describing the ribbon-shaped leaves that Eel grass possesses.
Eel grass is a submerged aquatic sedge that grows in shallow ponds, lakes, bays and estuaries. Eel grass is not a seaweed, yet is a flowering perennial plant that grows from both vegetative growth (rhizomes) and seed germination.
Eel grass is extremely important to aquatic ecosystems because it provides habitat to many juvenile marine species and invertebrates, plus is a food source for varying waterfowl, ducks and even migratory birds.
Sunlight is a primary factor determining the limits of Eel grass growth and spread. Once Sunlight is limited then Eel grass distribution will be limited or non-existent.
Control measures for Eel grass can include: UV limitation (provide shade), sediment and rhizome excavation, aquatic herbicide treatment and establishment of additional outcompeting aquatic species.
