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

Chesapeake Bay - Reporting Region Summary:



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Scores & Conceptual Diagram


Bay Health Index
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon
43%
C-
Overall Bay: 2008

Moderate poor ecosystem health. The overall health score only increased by 1% in 2008, compared to 2007. The bay-wide health score has only modestly improved over the past five years, increasing from 36% in 2003 to 43% in 2008. This is still much lower than the 55% the Bay scored in 2002, before the wet conditions in 2003.
  • Water quality: Dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a scores have been consistent for the past four years, while water clarity has improved slightly since 2006.
  • Biotic Indicators: While aquatic grasses are recovering in some regions, there have been losses in other regions. Additionally, phytoplankton and benthic community condition are variable between regions.

Score Legend
Locator Map
  Index/Indicator Score     Index/Indicator Score
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Chlorophyll a
27%
  Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Aquatic grasses
42%
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Dissolved oxygen
80%
  Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity
42%
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Water clarity
14%
  Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Phytoplankton Index of Biotic Integrity
53%
 
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Water Quality Index
40%
  Biotic Index Icon Biotic Index
45%
 
Excel Spreadsheet

Dynamic Conceptual Diagram

Editable Vector Diagram (SVG)

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