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Browse History: Choptank River (2009) | Elizabeth River (2009) | James River (2009) | Lower Bay (2009)

Chesapeake Bay - Reporting Region Summary:



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Scores & Conceptual Diagram


Bay Health Index
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon
51%
C		Lower Bay: 2009

Moderate ecosystem health. Large improvements in water clarity and benthic and phytoplankton community condition led to highest overall health score in eight years.
  • Water quality: Dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a indicators remained in very good and very poor condition, respectively, despite both scores decreasing slightly. Water clarity increased from 7% in 2008 to 22% in 2009 – its highest score since the dry year of 2002 (47%).
  • Biotic Indicators: All biotic indicators increased in score from 2008 to 2009. The benthic community condition score was 85%, which is the second highest score on record. Aquatic grasses continued to recover from a low of 27% in 2006, but levels are still below the historical maximum and goal.

Score Legend 		Locator Map
  Index/Indicator Score     Index/Indicator Score
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Chlorophyll a
8%
   Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Aquatic grasses
47%
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Dissolved oxygen
87%
   Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity
85%
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Water clarity
22%
   Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Phytoplankton Index of Biotic Integrity
60%
 
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Water Quality Index
39%
   Biotic Index Icon Biotic Index
64%
 
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Dynamic Conceptual Diagram

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