USGS scientists use the image of the entire 64,000-square-mile drainage basin of the Chesapeake Bay to provide a snapshot of surface conditions, including vegetation, that can be compared with historical and future images to help produce a report card of progress or setbacks in meeting resource management goals. The image can provide a key to at least a dozen vegetation types and other land-cover features.

The image mosaic, composed of Landsat thematic mapper scenes collected from 1990 through 1994, is the most complete basinwide image of the entire Chesapeake Bay. The information on the map is used by the USGS in hard copy format for educational activities and in electronic soft copy format for land use analysis.

The map is one of the products of the USGS Chesapeake Bay Science Program. The information is designed to help improve the understanding of the entire Bay ecosystem and enhance the ability to predict and measure the effects of restoration efforts.

A page size poster is available as a PDF file (2.8Mb). (NOTE: this is a large file.) [To view and print PDF files, you must obtain and install the Acrobat® Reader, available at no charge from Adobe Systems.]

Copies of the map are available for $7.00 each (plus a $5.00 handling charge), from the USGS Branch of Information Services, Denver Federal Center, Box 25286, Denver, Colo., 80225.

The Poster can also be ordered from the USGS Store at http://store.usgs.gov. (Item No. 17692)

For information on other USGS products and services, call 1-888-ASK-USGS (1-888-275-8747) or visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod or the USGS home page at www.usgs.gov.

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