Seagrasses are also sensitive to temperature and cannot grow in water that is too warm. We often hear conversations about climate change effects in relation to rising sea levels and the ozone, but the temperature changes can severely damage the ecosystems we have come to rely on. Being conscientious to pollution in the Bay and globally is the main solution to preservation.
Reducing pollution may seem like an impossible task, but little changes can make a big impact. Boaters on the Bay have an opportunity not only to make a difference but also to reap the benefits. By reducing their impact on the Bay, they will see clearer water and more wildlife. More fish equals better fishing and happier fishermen. And clearer water is always ideal when you’re going to be swimming in it.
One of the things that can make a huge impact is being on top of a boat’s maintenance schedule. Fluid leaks are common causes of pollution and are pretty easy to avoid. Checking fluid levels and getting leaks fixed can not only save boaters the cost of fluids but also keep the water cleaner. Be thoughtful about the paint used on the boat as well as its toxicity; many kinds of paint have been banned for the toxins and biocides that they release into the environment. Think about the cleaners you are using and what the effects of the runoff could be.
Fortunately, the Chesapeake Bay has been seeing improvements. The efforts of the community to improve the ecosystem have made a difference; only time will tell if it can be maintained. A recent survey showed that the seagrasses in the Chesapeake Bay increased 27 percent between 2013 and 2014. This is a tell-tale sign that the pollution in the Bay is improving.
For an interactive seagrass map and clean boating tips, click to proptalk.com/seagrass
by Ally Mann
Friday, February 26, 2016 - 08:45
The Chesapeake Bay is home to a rich and diverse ecosystem. As the largest estuary in the United States, its complex ecosystem is vitally important. One way to measure the overall health of the Bay is to look at the seagrasses that grow throughout its expanses.
The seagrasses in the Chesapeake Bay are much like the grass you would find above water. They are green and yellow in color and consist of long, thin blades. They usually grow in the most shallow parts of the Bay as well as in the streams, creeks, and rivers that flow into it. The grasses provide a home, food, and oxygen to much of the wildlife. They absorb pollution, trap sediment, and reduce erosion. The grasses are incredibly sensitive to pollution and can only grow when the water is clear enough for them to receive sunlight. This makes them a great indicator to the health of the Bay.
Due to the unique makeup of estuaries, the preservation of the ecosystem is essential. The mixing of salt and fresh water that happens in the estuary is only found in a few places on earth and is more productive in creating organic matter than other similarly sized ecosystems. Waterfowl, fish, plants, and crustaceans all depend on the diverse ecosystems provided in the Chesapeake Bay. Estuaries account for two thirds of the nation’s commercial fish and shellfish species. This makes the conservation of the seagrass even more important.
Pollution is the biggest threat to seagrass. Although it is able to absorb some of the sediment and pollutants in the water, when pollutants become too concentrated, the seagrass can no longer maintain the delicate balance. Seagrasses fail to get the sunlight necessary for them to thrive, and we see a reduction in the seagrass population. Above average rainfall can further exacerbate this problem by adding excess sediment into the Bay.
Seagrasses are also sensitive to temperature and cannot grow in water that is too warm. We often hear conversations about climate change effects in relation to rising sea levels and the ozone, but the temperature changes can severely damage the ecosystems we have come to rely on. Being conscientious to pollution in the Bay and globally is the main solution to preservation.
Reducing pollution may seem like an impossible task, but little changes can make a big impact. Boaters on the Bay have an opportunity not only to make a difference but also to reap the benefits. By reducing their impact on the Bay, they will see clearer water and more wildlife. More fish equals better fishing and happier fishermen. And clearer water is always ideal when you’re going to be swimming in it.
One of the things that can make a huge impact is being on top of a boat’s maintenance schedule. Fluid leaks are common causes of pollution and are pretty easy to avoid. Checking fluid levels and getting leaks fixed can not only save boaters the cost of fluids but also keep the water cleaner. Be thoughtful about the paint used on the boat as well as its toxicity; many kinds of paint have been banned for the toxins and biocides that they release into the environment. Think about the cleaners you are using and what the effects of the runoff could be.
Fortunately, the Chesapeake Bay has been seeing improvements. The efforts of the community to improve the ecosystem have made a difference; only time will tell if it can be maintained. A recent survey showed that the seagrasses in the Chesapeake Bay increased 27 percent between 2013 and 2014. This is a tell-tale sign that the pollution in the Bay is improving.
For an interactive seagrass map and clean boating tips, click to proptalk.com/seagrass
by Ally Mann
Seagrasses are also sensitive to temperature and cannot grow in water that is too warm. We often hear conversations about climate change effects in relation to rising sea levels and the ozone, but the temperature changes can severely damage the ecosystems we have come to rely on. Being conscientious to pollution in the Bay and globally is the main solution to preservation.
Reducing pollution may seem like an impossible task, but little changes can make a big impact. Boaters on the Bay have an opportunity not only to make a difference but also to reap the benefits. By reducing their impact on the Bay, they will see clearer water and more wildlife. More fish equals better fishing and happier fishermen. And clearer water is always ideal when you’re going to be swimming in it.
One of the things that can make a huge impact is being on top of a boat’s maintenance schedule. Fluid leaks are common causes of pollution and are pretty easy to avoid. Checking fluid levels and getting leaks fixed can not only save boaters the cost of fluids but also keep the water cleaner. Be thoughtful about the paint used on the boat as well as its toxicity; many kinds of paint have been banned for the toxins and biocides that they release into the environment. Think about the cleaners you are using and what the effects of the runoff could be.
Fortunately, the Chesapeake Bay has been seeing improvements. The efforts of the community to improve the ecosystem have made a difference; only time will tell if it can be maintained. A recent survey showed that the seagrasses in the Chesapeake Bay increased 27 percent between 2013 and 2014. This is a tell-tale sign that the pollution in the Bay is improving.
For an interactive seagrass map and clean boating tips, click to proptalk.com/seagrass
by Ally Mann