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| Browse History: Coastal Bays Health Index (2009) | Dissolved Oxygen (2009) | Hard clams (2009) | Seagrass (2009)
SeagrassSeagrass are one of the most important habitats in the Coastal Bays. They provide critical habitat to key species such as blue crab, and can improve water clarity.
Maryland Coastal Bays - Indicator Details:
Threshold Map
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Station Data Download (Excel)
This map shows progress of each region towards meeting the seagrass restoration goal. Progress towards the restoration goal was slightly more in 2009 compared to 2008 due to an increase in seagrass cover. One factor likely responsible for increase is below-average rainfall in 2009. In 2009, Sinepuxent Bay had the highest score (69%), whereas St. Martin River was about 8% of its restoration goal.
Creating this map
Estimates of seagrass coverage (i.e., the bottom area covered) are derived each year using aerial surveys. The seagrass score is determined as the area of seagrass present in each of the six reporting regions as a percentage of the reporting region's restoration goal. Each reporting region is assigned a color representing progress towards the goal.
Estimates of seagrass coverage (i.e., the bottom area covered) are derived each year using aerial surveys. The seagrass score is determined as the area of seagrass present in each of the six reporting regions as a percentage of the reporting region's restoration goal. Each reporting region is assigned a color representing progress towards the goal.
Data Map
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This map shows the distribution of seagrasses in the Coastal Bays. While seagrasses fringe long sections of the shoreline, there are many areas of the Coastal Bays where coverage has been significantly reduced. During 2009, seagrasses increased slightly in many regions of the Coastal Bays. The increase in seagrass cover was likely due to below-average rainfall in 2009.
Understanding this map
Estimates of seagrass cover are derived each year using aerial surveys. Survey data was used to determine area of seagrass in each reporting region in 2009.
Estimates of seagrass cover are derived each year using aerial surveys. Survey data was used to determine area of seagrass in each reporting region in 2009.
Ranking
Comparison of Bay Health Index scores for 2009 (
) compared to (
)| Score (%) | |
| 0 20 40 60 80 100 |
| Sinepuxent Bay | |
| Overall Coastal Bays | |
| Assawoman Bay | |
| Chincoteague Bay | |
| Isle of Wight Bay | |
| Newport Bay | |
| St. Martin River |
This figure ranks each region from best to worst for seagrass. The seagrass score is determined as the area of seagrass present in each of the six reporting regions as a percentage of the reporting region's restoration goal. Sinepuxent Bay was the closest to the restoration goal. Overall, most regions are far from achieving their restoration goals.
Excel SpreadsheetThreshold Levels
| Reporting Region | SAV restoration goal by reporting region (acres) |
| St. Martin River | 48 |
| Assawoman Bay | 1,745 |
| Isle of Wight Bay | 1,476 |
| Newport Bay | 341 |
| Sinepuxent Bay | 3,031 |
| Chincoteague Bay | 20,400 |
| Total | 27,041 |