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Browse History: James River (2008) | Lower Bay (2008) | Lower Western Shore (MD) (2008) | Mid Bay (2008)

Chesapeake Bay - Reporting Region Summary:



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Bay Health Index
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon
39%
D+
Mid Bay: 2008

Poor ecosystem health. Gradually recovering from impact of wet conditions in 2003. Recovery mostly due to a healthier phytoplankton community, but overall health is still degraded.
  • Water quality: Water clarity and chlorophyll a scores have shown little signs of improving after declining significantly in 2003 due to the wet conditions. Dissolved oxygen scores have also not improved over the past 20 years.
  • Biotic indicators: Benthic community condition improved in 2008 to 32%, the highest score since 2001. Phytoplankton community condition in this region tends be relatively high, with a score of 81% in 2008.

Score Legend
Locator Map
  Index/Indicator Score     Index/Indicator Score
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Chlorophyll a
20%
  Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Aquatic grasses
17%
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Dissolved oxygen
68%
  Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity
32%
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Water clarity
17%
  Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Phytoplankton Index of Biotic Integrity
81%
 
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Water Quality Index
35%
  Biotic Index Icon Biotic Index
43%
 
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Dynamic Conceptual Diagram

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