Synthesis of U.S. Geological Survey Science for the Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem and Implications for Environmental Management
Scott W. Phillips, Editor
Chapters written by:
Scott W. Ator, Vicki S. Blazer, John W. Brakebill, Donald R. Cahoon,
Peter R. Claggett, Thomas M. Cronin, Judith M. Denver, Christine L. Densmore,
Allen C. Gellis, Cliff R. Hupp, Jurate M. Landwehr, Michael J. Langland,
Christopher A. Ottinger, Milan J. Pavich, Matthew C. Perry, Scott W. Phillips,
Stephen D. Preston, Jeff P. Raffensperger, Barnett A. Rattner, Nancy B. Rybicki,
and Debra A. Willard
From the Introduction
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the science agency for the Department of the Interior (DOI), has the critical role of providing scientific information that is utilized to document and understand ecosystem condition and change in the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. The findings are used by resource managers and policy makers to assess the effectiveness of restoration actions and adapt improved strategies for the future. The Chesapeake Bay, the Nation's largest estuary, has been affected by human-population increase resulting in degraded water quality, loss of habitat, and declines in populations of biological communities. Since the mid1980s, the USGS has been a partner of the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP), a multi-agency partnership working to restore the Bay ecosystem. The CBP created Chesapeake 2000, an agreement that established over 100 restora tion commitments to be achieved during 2000-10. The major goals of the agreement are related to: (1) land use, (2) water quality, (3) vital habitats, (4) living resources, and (5) stewardship.
To support the expanded technical needs of the Chesapeake 2000 agreement, the USGS summarized its previous research (Phillips, 2002) and interacted with CBP partners to develop science goals for 2001-06: . Improve watershed and land-use data and analysis.
. Enhance the prediction, monitoring, and understanding of nutrient delivery to the Bay. . Understand the sources and impact of sediment on water clarity and biota. . Assess the occurrence of toxic constituents and emerging contaminants. . Assess the factors affecting the health of fish, waterbirds, and their habitats. . Disseminate information and develop decision-support tools.The purpose of this report is to present a synthesis of the USGS Chesapeake Bay science related to the 2001-06 goals and provide implications for environmental management (fig. 1.1). The report provides USGS findings that address the science needs of the CBP restoration goals and includes summaries of: (1) land-use change; (2) water quality in the watershed, including nutrients, sediment, and contaminants; (3) long-term changes in estuarine water quality; (4) estuary habitats, focusing on submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and tidal wetlands; and (5) factors affecting fish and waterbird populations.
