Underwater grass abundance in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay – a key indicator of water quality – fell from 38,188 acres in 2023 to 36,794 acres in 2024, according to data reviewed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. This acreage remains short of the state’s 2025 restoration goal of 79,800 acres. The annual survey of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) was conducted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science between May and October 2024. The Bay was fully mapped in 2024. In Maryland, despite an overall loss of underwater grass acreage, freshwater SAV populations did well in 2024 and all or part of five rivers surpassed their restoration goals. “The resilience we’re seeing in freshwater SAV beds this year is encouraging and reflects years of targeted restoration, outreach, and monitoring,” DNR’s SAV Program Chief Brooke Landry said. “But sharp declines in widgeon grass across the mid-Bay are concerning, especially given how quickly this species can respond to changes in water quality. These shifts underscore the need for sustained action to improve local conditions and maintain the habitats that so many Bay species rely on.” Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) plays a critical role in the health of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Commonly […]
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