Chesapeake Bay
Research Project
May 5, 2005
By: Northside Middle School Students:
Adam Foster, Anthony Phillips & April Smitheman
Guidance provided by www.rkpuma.com
Table of Contents
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History
Geography
Flora
Fauna
Industry
Recreation
Problems/Threats
Solutions
History of the Bay
• The bay was formed
from natural events
during the last ice age.
• The first to enter the bay
was Vicente Gonzalez.
• John Smith was the first
to thoroughly explore the
bay.
History of the Bay (cont.)
• The bay has been used for fishing for thousands of
years.
• The word Chesapeake means in Indian, “Great
Shellfish Bay”.
• You can catch Rockfish, Bluefish, Flounder along
with many other fish species.
Bay Geography
• The Chesapeake covers
64,000 square miles.
• Tributary rivers include
the Susquehanna,
Patuxent, Potomac,
Rappahanock, York and
James.
• Chesapeake waters flow
into the Atlantic Ocean at
Hampton Roads at the
Bay's southeastern end.
Bay Geography (cont.)
• The length of the Bay
is about189 miles.
• It is about 4 miles wide
near Annapolis,
Maryland.
• It is 30 miles at its
widest, near the mouth
of the Potomac River.
Bay Flora
1. Sea Grass
2. Phytoplankton
3. Sea lettuce
Plant 1
• Bay grasses improve
water quality and provide
food and shelter for
animals.
• 16 species of underwater
grass are found in the
Bay.
• 64,000 acres of grasses
were in the Bay in 2003,
much less than the year
before.
Plant 2
• Algae (Phytoplankton)
are small, microscopic
plants.
• They are photosynthetic,
and produce their own
food from sunlight.
• Phytoplankton are a
primary producer of the
oxygen we breathe.
Plant 3
• Sea Lettuce (Seaweed)
are found in brackish and
higher salinity waters of
the Bay.
• When seaweed overgrows, it can reduce
oxygen for other
organisms.
• It grows in waters that
are nutrient-rich or
polluted.
Endangered Flora Species
1. American Lotus
2. Tawny Cottongrass
Bay Fauna
1. Blue Crabs
2. Striped Bass
3. Blue Fish
Animal 1
• Blue Crabs or
“Callinectes Sapidus” are
ten-legged crustaceans.
• It walks sideways and
defends itself with sharp
pincer claws.
• The crab's favorite food
are bivalves, but when
scarce, cannibalism
increases.
Animal 2
• Rockfish, Striped Bass or
“Morone Saxatilis” hatch
29 - 80 hours after
fertilization.
• They are light green,
olive, steel blue, brown
or black.
• They get a name from the
seven or eight dark,
stripes along their sides.
Animal 3
• Bluefish or
“Pomatomus Saltatrix”
or Snapper are found all
along the east coast.
• They migrate north in
the spring and and
south in the fall.
• They travel in groups or
“schools”.
Endangered Fauna Species
1. Marine Turtles
2. Bald Eagle
Bay Industry
Blue Crabs
Oysters
Menhaden
Industry 1
• Our bay has been the
largest producer of Blue
Crabs in the country.
• Blue Crab harvests have
been going down since
the early 1980’s.
• The reasons are overharvesting, disease and
the loss of habitat.
Industry 2
• The Bay Oyster
harvests have gone
down to less than 1%
percent of its peak in
the 1870’s.
• In 1980, the Bay
provided the country
with 50% of US
oysters.
• The Bay now provides
only 1-5% of oysters.
Industry 3
• Menhaden fish are
important because they
have the ability to filter
water.
• There is no quota to limit
harvests.
• Over-fishing for
Menhaden is ruining the
Bay's most valuable
resource.
Bay Recreational Uses
Fishing
Boating
Camping
Recreational Use 1
• Fishing is a popular
recreation on the
Bay.
• It provides hours of
fun for millions of
people.
• Tourism is an
important industry
which provides
many jobs.
Recreational Use 2
• Boating is also a
popular Bay
recreation.
• Boat builders,
supplies, sales,
marinas, charters, and
restaurants are all
related Bay industries.
• Boat sales are falling.
Recreational Use 3
• Camping is another
popular Bay recreation.
• There are many
campsites in Maryland
and Virginia.
• Events include shows,
festivals and fairs
which attract visitors,
because camping is fun,
affordable lodging.
Bay Problems/Threats
Natural Threats
Industrial/Developmental
Improper Disposition
Problem 1
• The Bay's pollution
is mostly from too
many nutrients,
nitrogen and
phosphorus.
• These elements
effect the food chain
and ecosystem.
• When the delicate
balance is upset,
animals and plants
die.
Problem 2
• Other pollutants are toxic
chemicals, air, and
landscape changes.
• Wetlands are very fragile,
but vital to the world’s
ecosystem.
• Industry, property
developers and
lawmakers don’t always
consider the value of our
Bay.
Problem 3
• Sedimentation
involves particles
carried off land and
into waterways.
• Household and lawn
care products in
drains don’t help the
problem.
• Improper disposal of
auto products also
plays a part.
Bay Solutions
Study
Action
Awareness
Solution 1
• Studies for controlling
nutrients, nitrogen and
phosphorus should be
made.
• Laws, use guidelines and
monitoring could play a
bigger part.
• Education should be key
for all who enjoy the
Bay.
Solution 2
• Vote for those who
consider the Bay, more
than potential revenue
in development of our
shorelines.
• Report dumping or
activities which threaten
your Bay community.
• Your family can
increase awareness of
materials you use
everyday.
Solution 3
• Think of our beautiful
Bay and continue to
increase your
awareness of possible
threats to it.
• Share what you learn
with family and friends.
• Walk on the beach,
collect shells, and
watch the Bay shoreline
closely, whenever you
can.