BALTIMORE – The Chesapeake Bay's underwater grasses, an essential indicator of water quality and habitat stability, showed a positive trend in 2023, maintaining a steady presence and even increasing in some areas, according to the latest data from the Chesapeake Bay Program and Maryland's Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The report highlighted that Maryland's portion of the bay contained 37,770 acres of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), with the entire bay area reaching approximately 82,937 acres, marking a 7% increase from the previous year.
Brooke Landry, the Maryland DNR's Program Chief of Living Resource Assessment and Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Program SAV Workgroup, expressed optimism about the ongoing recovery of these vital ecosystems. "The news is positive as we see the bay's underwater grasses continue to recover, despite some declines in the upper bay," Landry said. Notably, the grass beds in the Susquehanna Flats are holding strong, buoyed by the thriving presence of Horned pondweed and Sago pondweed, particularly in the mid-bay.
The survey, conducted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science between May and November 2023, revealed that four rivers in Maryland either met or exceeded their restoration targets. The Northeast River, Upper Chester River, Honga River, and Wicomico River surpassed their goals significantly, with the Upper Chester River reaching an impressive 432% of its target.
Despite the positive developments, challenges remain. The report pointed out a significant loss of freshwater grasses in the upper bay, which was offset by substantial growth of brackish water grasses in the mid- and lower bay areas. The iconic Susquehanna Flats grass beds continued to expand, covering over 11,000 acres. Furthermore, Sago pondweed has become the most prevalent species in several Maryland rivers, supporting a variety of wildlife and contributing to the ecological balance of the bay.
Underwater grasses play a crucial role in the Chesapeake Bay by filtering out nutrients and sediment, reducing shoreline erosion, and providing habitat for numerous species, including blue crabs and largemouth bass. They also support migrating waterfowl and mitigate climate impacts, making their health a critical component of the bay's overall ecosystem resilience.
While the current acreage falls short of Maryland's 2025 restoration goal of 79,800 acres, airspace restrictions during the survey period limited complete mapping of certain areas. If not for these limitations, the 2023 figures might have been even higher. This underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and protection efforts to ensure the continued recovery and expansion of these vital underwater habitats.
As the Chesapeake Bay continues to face environmental challenges, the resilience and growth of its underwater grasses offer a beacon of hope and a testament to the effectiveness of restoration efforts underway.
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