The normally tough grass that prevents beach erosion is turning up brown and limp in some areas. The long, spindly sea grass was planted over the past 30 years to serve as a buffer against beach erosion. But batches of it have been reported dying on beaches from Kennebunkport to Portland.
Experts say there is no known cause for the die-out.
So University of Maine researchers will be planting up to 3,000 tufts of grass in six areas along the state's southern coast in hopes of pinpointing the cause of the dying dune grass. By determining how well or poorly the plants do over the next few years, researchers will be able to recommend to state environmental officials which strains of grass fare better on Maine's beaches and which strains should be forbidden. Besides Kennebunkport and Old Orchard Beach, Whiting-Grant has received reports of dune grass dying in Scarborough and on Long Island, in Casco Bay. In those areas, the normally tough grass that prevents beach erosion is now brown and limp. Old Orchard Beach has lost about 25 percent of the grass it planted 20 years ago after rebuilding eroded dunes, The loss of sea grass is perplexing scientists all along the Eastern seaboard.