Document Type
Article
Department/Program
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Publication Date
6-13-2017
Journal
Bioscience
Volume
67
Issue
8
First Page
698
Last Page
712
Abstract
Chesapeake Bay has undergone profound changes since European settlement. Increases in human and livestock populations, associated changes in land use, increases in nutrient loadings, shoreline armoring, and depletion of fish stocks have altered the important habitats within the Bay. Submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) is a critical foundational habitat and provides numerous benefits and services to society. In Chesapeake Bay, SAV species are also indicators of environmental change because of their sensitivity to water quality and shoreline development. As such, SAV has been deeply integrated into regional regulations and annual assessments of management outcomes, restoration efforts, the scientific literature, and popular media coverage. Even so, SAV in Chesapeake Bay faces many historical and emerging challenges. The future of Chesapeake Bay is indicated by and contingent on the success of SAV. Its persistence will require continued action, coupled with new practices, to promote a healthy and sustainable ecosystem.
DOI
10.1093/biosci/bix058
Keywords
SAV; management; land use; climate change; water quality
Recommended Citation
Orth, R J.; Dennison, William C.; Lefcheck, Jonathan S.; Gurbisz, Cassie; Hannam, Michael; Keisman, Jennifer; Landry, J. Brooke; Moore, Ken; Murphy, Rebecca R.; Patrick, Christopher J.; Testa, Jeremy; Weller, Donald E.; and Wilcox, David J., Submersed Aquatic Vegetation in Chesapeake Bay: Sentinel Species in a Changing World (2017). Bioscience, 67(8), 698-712.
10.1093/biosci/bix058
