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Browse History: Patuxent River (2008) | Potomac River (2008) | Rappahannock River (2008) | Upper Bay (2008)

Chesapeake Bay - Reporting Region Summary:



  Estuary Selection Map

Scores & Conceptual Diagram


Bay Health Index
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon
59%
C+
Upper Bay: 2008

Moderate ecosystem health: Health improved significantly in the past five years, with rapid increase in aquatic grasses, phytoplankton community condition, and water clarity scores.
  • Water quality: The 2008 dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a scores of 79% and 53% are consistent with past scores. Dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a scores have been relatively consistent over the past 12 years. Water clarity, in contrast, reached a record low in 2003, and has since been gradually improving.
  • Biotic indicators: Benthic community condition declined in 2008 to the lowest score on record (50%) for this region. Both the aquatic grass distribution and phytoplankton community condition have been improving in recent years.

Score Legend
Locator Map
  Index/Indicator Score     Index/Indicator Score
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Chlorophyll a
53%
  Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Aquatic grasses
92%
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Dissolved oxygen
79%
  Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity
50%
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Water clarity
27%
  Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Phytoplankton Index of Biotic Integrity
53%
 
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Water Quality Index
53%
  Biotic Index Icon Biotic Index
65%
 
Excel Spreadsheet

Dynamic Conceptual Diagram

Editable Vector Diagram (SVG)

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