Ecosystem Process Modeling of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in the Lower Chesapeake Bay

Published:

December 1, 1994

Originator:

Chesapeake Bay Program

the modeling studies reported here emphasize the polyhaline eelgrass habitats of the lower Chesapeake Bay, as a part of a larger program of ecosystem modeling sposored by the Living Resources Subcommittee of the Chesapeake Bay Program. this report covers progress made through Qpril 1993. The primary focus of the polyhaline SAV modeling studies has been on light-dependent eelgrass productivity and water quality parameters which affect the submarine light cclimate. Where eutrophication impacts have veen assessed, they have been used to drive increases in epiphytes, which block light penetration to esslgrass leaves. Eutrophication of the tidal tributaries diminishes light-dependent eekgrass oridhyctuib abd griwtg abd gas been implicated as the principal cause for SAV declines throughout the Chesapeake Bay. The implicit assumptions have been that eelgrass is not nutrient-limited in its annual setting and that increased nutrient loadings to the estuary negatively affect SAV growth and survival by promoting the growth of planktonic microalgae amd epiphytes.