Surfgrass – State Wildlife Action Plan

Photo Credit: Gregory Krutzikowsky, ODFW

Several species of surfgrass are found in Oregon nearshore waters that are considered to be part of the essential fish habitat for groundfish. Surfgrass are flowering plants. The live in rocky areas with turbulent waters in a narrow depth range from the intertidal to the shallow subtidal. The plants vary in appearance and habitat. Some species grow as long as 10 feet and have rounded leaves, and root in areas inundated with sand. Other species have flat leaves, grow to only 3 feet in length, and root in areas where sand does not accumulate. Surfgrasses are perennials and they have male and female flowers on different adult plants. Flowers can be pollinated underwater or from pollen on the water’s surface.

Overview

Species Common Name Surfgrass
Species Scientific Name Phyllospadix spp.

Ecoregions

Nearshore

The Nearshore ecoregion includes a variety of habitats ranging from submerged high-relief rocky reefs to broad expanses of intertidal mudflats in estuaries and hosts a vast array of fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, birds, plants, and micro-organisms. This ecoregion encompasses the area from the outer boundary of Oregon's Territorial Sea to the supra-tidal zone, and up into the estuaries.

Special needs

Surfgrass occurs only in rocky intertidal and very shallow rocky subtidal habitat.

Limiting factors

Substratum availability and seed dispersal are among factors limiting the distribution of surfgrasses. Toxic chemicals are also a threat.

Data gaps

Data gaps include information about spatial and seasonal variability in biomass.

Conservation actions

Observe restrictions on harvest. Monitor the status of surfgrasses at index sites.

Key reference or plan

Pacific Coast Groundfish Essential Fish Habiatat