Biodiversity within the Chesapeake Bay

The largest estuary in the United States is home to a very productive ecosystem.

Rational

Growing up in Roanoke, Virginia the Chesapeake Bay was a place I visited often. I’ve learned the importance of the Chesapeake Bay to Virginia and Maryland residents, and many plants and animals. This is the United States’ largest estuary. There are ecosystems within the Chesapeake Bay that are critical to many species such as tidal pools, oyster reefs, and seagrasses. The Chesapeake Bay offers many goods and services such as fishery/food, improved water quality, natural filtration, erosion control, and habitat. The Chesapeake Bay is threatened by climate change and excessive pollutants/nutrients in the water.

Biodiversity

In my undergraduate studies I took Applied Environmental Monitor and studied biodiversity. Biodiversity includes all plants, animals, and the habitat within an ecosystem. I learned biodiversity consists of the energy and variances within an ecosystem. Variances in an ecosystem include the gene pool, number of species, and types of habitat. Energy cycles within habitats, wildlife, and climate can influence species genetics.

Ian Swingland defines biodiversity (biological diversity) as “species, genetic, and ecosystem diversity in an area, sometimes including associated abiotic components such as landscape features, drainage systems, and climate” (1999).

https://marine.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=ANZ631#.XxTXpecpDIV

https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/map/index.html

Organisms that are not native, or indigenous to a specific area are considered invasive species. However, not all non-native or indigenous species are considered invasive. An invasive species can harm native species and the ecosystem by out-competing or altering the food web, rapid and excessive colonization, over use of resources, and damage property. Below are examples of invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay.

Non-profit organizations such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) encourage public leaders and government officials, and private citizens to “Save the Bay”. The (CBF) educates, advocates, and raises funds to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay.

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