The Landscape that Surrounds Us Underwater
Seaweed swirls and eddies in water's currents.
Seaweed swirls and eddies in water's currents.
Green crab makes its way along the bottom in search of food.
Green crab makes its way along the bottom in search of food.
Mussels along pond's edge will be submerged by high tide.
Mussels along pond's edge will be submerged by high tide.
Few strands of eelgrass, where once there were many.
Few strands of eelgrass, where once there were many.
Scallops are still vital thanks to Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group.
Scallops are still vital thanks to Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group.
Periwinkles take up home in unique nautilus shells.
Periwinkles take up home in unique nautilus shells.
Hermit crabs scurry in shallow waters.
Hermit crabs scurry in shallow waters.
Pebbly pond bottom holds many life forms.
Pebbly pond bottom holds many life forms.
Many different varieties of seaweed reside in our saltwater ponds.
Many different varieties of seaweed reside in our saltwater ponds.
Vestige of once alive quahaug, now just a bleached shell.
Vestige of once alive quahaug, now just a bleached shell.
Who knows what lives inside this underwater home.
Who knows what lives inside this underwater home.
Pond life is affected by nitrogen levels, among other things.
Pond life is affected by nitrogen levels, among other things.
All saltwater ponds on the Vineyard are impaired by nitrogen to some degree, and each one faces a unique set of conditions. Ponds along the south shore are manually opened to the sea during the year. Areas of dense development along the north shore produce the most nitrogen. The town of Tisbury is looking to take aim at reducing nitrogen levels in its ponds. Here's a look underneath it all at what dwells underwater in Lagoon Pond.