Hybrid Beachgrass Discovery: How Does A Newly-Discovered Beachgrass Hybrid Affect Coastal Ecosystems?

Invasive beachgrasses on Oregon coastal dunes produce tradeoffs: They build dunes that protect the coastline from climate change- induced extreme storms and sea level rise (positive), but these grasses also outcompete native species (negative). Researchers have discovered a hybrid beachgrass that has different traits than its parents and has the potential to build taller dunes, which will impact the ways that humans interact with beachgrasses and dunes. In this lesson, students will investigate how the hybrid differs from its parents, how that may impact ecosystem services, and will more broadly learn about human-environment interactions. Grant no. NA22OAR4170102