Distribution and Abundance of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in the Lower Chesapeake Bay, Virginia 19
- Published:
- October 1, 1979
- Originator:
- Chesapeake Bay Program
- EPA Number:
- EPA 600/8-79-029/SAV 1
The distribution and abundance of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in the lower Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries were delineated with color aerial photography and surface information. Over 8500 hectares of SAV were identified on 31 topographic quadrangles. To enable computer retrieval of the aerial resource information, all information from the 1978 mapping effort was entered into a data base based on the Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system. Analysis of the historical distribution of SAV throughout the lower Bay was accomplished by use of aerial photography for six selected areas. Low levels of SAV in 1937 increased significantly until approximately 1971 when a precipitous decline in coverage occurred during the period of 1973-1974. This decline continued until 1978 when the lowest levels iin SAV over the last 40 years were recorded.