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Browse History: Lower Bay (2009) | Lower Western Shore (MD) (2009) | Mid Bay (2009) | Overall Bay (2009)

Chesapeake Bay - Reporting Region Summary:



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Bay Health Index
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon
46%
C
Overall Bay: 2009

Moderate ecosystem health. The overall health score increased by 3% in 2009, compared to 2008. This is the best bay-wide health score since 2002, before the wet conditions that caused the scores to decline from 55% in 2002 to 36% in 2003. This year's improvement is in keeping with the gradual recovery of the Bay from the wet conditions in 2003.


  • Water quality: Dissolved oxygen scores (81%) remained consistent with the moderate-good to good ranking seen for the entire period of record. Chlorophyll a also remained steady, while water clarity (26%) scored the highest since the 2002 wet season.
  • Biotic Indicators: All biotic indicators stayed relatively constant: the aquatic grasses score declined slight from 2008 (42%), phytoplankton community scores decreased by 4% but remained in moderate condition, and benthic community condition scores increased by 11% and remained in moderate condition.

Score Legend
Locator Map
  Index/Indicator Score     Index/Indicator Score
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Chlorophyll a
29%
  Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Aquatic grasses
39%
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Dissolved oxygen
81%
  Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity
53%
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Water clarity
26%
  Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Phytoplankton Index of Biotic Integrity
49%
 
Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Icon Water Quality Index
45%
  Biotic Index Icon Biotic Index
47%
 
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