Publications about Chesapeake Bay

IAN is committed to producing practical, user-centered communications that foster a better understanding of science and enable readers to pursue new opportunities in research, education, and environmental problem-solving. Our publications synthesize scientific findings using effective science communication techniques.

Weather extremes lead to typical conditions (Page 1)

Weather extremes lead to typical conditions

Caroline Donovan, Ben Longstaff ·
9 November 2006

This newsletter addresses the extreme weather conditions that the Bay area experienced during the spring and summer of 2006 and how these weather conditions affected the summer ecological forecast that was released in May 2006 and other aspects of Bay health. The forecast focuses on dissolved oxygen in the mainstem, harmful algal blooms in the Potomac River and aquatic grasses in three locations in the Bay.

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Investigating menhaden recruitment variability: Modeling the relationship between striped bass recovery and menhaden recruitment (Page 1)

Investigating menhaden recruitment variability: Modeling the relationship between striped bass recovery and menhaden recruitment

Zhang X, Wood RJ, Wicks EC and Longstaff BJ ·
18 October 2006

This newsletter summarizes ongoing development of a model that describes fluctuations in the number of young menhaden within Chesapeake Bay. Using both menhaden spawning stock and striped bass predation potential, the model successfully accounts for most of the variability (~70%) seen in Chesapeake Bay menhaden recruitment.

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Early summer rain event (Page 1)

Early summer rain event

Caroline Donovan, Ben Longstaff ·
8 September 2006

This newsletter describes some of the monitoring data and the response from the Chesapeake Bay community to the high rainfall event that moved through the Bay watershed from June 24 to June 28, 2006. In some areas of the watershed, up to 15 inches of rain fell and much of the area received 5 inches or more. The Chesapeake Bay Program quickly organized an effort to monitor and analyze dissolved oxygen, turbidity, chlorophyll a and aquatic grass in the Bay.

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EcoCheck (Page 1)

EcoCheck

Ben Longstaff, Caroline Donovan ·
2 May 2006

EcoCheck is a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. This newsletter conveys their goals and approach towards improving Chesapeake Bay health. The types of projects on which EcoCheck works are also described in the newsletter.

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MASC Newsletter 4 - Water Quality and Aquatic Grass Wrap Up (Page 1)

MASC Newsletter 4 - Water Quality and Aquatic Grass Wrap Up

Ben Longstaff ·
1 November 2005

This edition of Chesapeake Update provides an overview of water quality and aquatic grass conditions over the summer of 2005. An explanation as to why these conditions occurred is provided–largely a combination of a wet spring followed by a dry, calm and relatively warm summer. The observed conditions are compared to those forecast to occur before the summer, and explanations for any differences is provided.

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Bay Grass Restoration in Chesapeake Bay (Page 1)

Bay Grass Restoration in Chesapeake Bay

Bill Dennison, Tim Carruthers, Tracey Saxby ·
1 August 2005

Chesapeake Bay has historically supported extensive bay grass (underwater grasses) meadows (>75,000 ha). However, water quality degradation from increased sediment and nutrient inputs has reduced the areal coverage and depth penetration of bay grasses, with one third of historical distributions remaining (21,648 ha; 1985-2004 mean). Chesapeake Bay underwater grasses are comprised of a variety of freshwater, brackish, and marine species.

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'Bar Cleaning' in Oyster Restoration

Kennedy VS, Meritt DW, Newell RIE, North EW, Paynter KT, Boesch DF ·
21 July 2005

Scientists with expertise in oyster biology, restoration, and management within the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science met to discuss their diverse perspectives on bar cleaning and power dredging. They developed this consensus statement to offer the Center's best scientific advice to decision makers, managers, stakeholders and partners in oyster restoration.

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