Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), primarily eelgrass, Zostera marina and widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima) is an important component of the bay ecosystem, serving as important nursery and refuge habitat for a number of faunal groups.  These seagrasses are a sensitive indicator of the bay's overall health.
 

Barnegat Bay contains over 75% of New Jersey's SAV habitat Comparison of the 1970's and 1980's with the 1990's surveys shows a decrease of nearly 33% in SAV area

Due to a difference in mapping methods, we must be cautious in directly attributing the decrease in SAV acreage to a large-scale dieback.  However, there is reason for concern over the status of seagrass beds in Barnegat Bay as anecdotal evidence indicates declining health due to decreasing water clarity from algal blooms, wasting disease and infestations of epiphyic algae.