Ecosytem Task 2 WGU
Systems of Natural Science
114.2.3 Ecosystems
Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem
(Taylor & Allen)
• The Bay is approx. 200 miles long, from Havre de Grace, Maryland to
Virginia Beach, Virginia
• The Bay 's width ranges from 4 miles near
Aberdeen, Maryland, to
30 miles near Cape
Charles, Virginia
Major Components
Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem
Biotic Components
(Living)
•
•
•
•
•
•
350 species of fish
Crabs
Shellfish
Birds
Mammals
Reptiles and Amphibians
(Bay stat)
Abiotic Components
(Non-living)
•
•
•
•
•
Water Quality
Sunlight
Weather
Soil
Air (pollution)
Current Human Impact on
Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem
Air Pollution
Vehicles, industries, power plants, gas-powered lawn tools, and farm operations:
•
Almost one third of the nitrogen that pollutes the
Bay and its rivers comes from the air
•
Pollution from a very large geographic area can eventually wind up in the Bay
•
Air and water pollution are not separate problems.
There is a close link between the health of our air and the health of our water
Water Quality
Fertilizers, waste water and vehicle emissions: Increased nitrogen and phosphorus fuels unnaturally high algae growth in the water
•
Algae turns color of the water brownish or greenish - blocking sunlight from reaching underwater grasses
•
When algae die they are decomposed by bacteria that consume the oxygen needed by other aquatic creatures in the bay
•
(Bay stat)
•
Without enough oxygen dissolved in the water, aquatic creatures like fish, blue crabs and oysters become stressed or even die. Current Human Impact on
Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem
Over Harvesting of Oysters
• Harms local economy (catch, sale, shucking, packing and shipping)
•
•
Since late 19th century contributed millions of dollars
Was Bay’s most valuable commercial fisheries
• Demise of Bay’s healthy oyster reefs
•
•
Offers less surface area for reef-dwelling
114.2.3 Ecosystems
Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem
(Taylor & Allen)
• The Bay is approx. 200 miles long, from Havre de Grace, Maryland to
Virginia Beach, Virginia
• The Bay 's width ranges from 4 miles near
Aberdeen, Maryland, to
30 miles near Cape
Charles, Virginia
Major Components
Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem
Biotic Components
(Living)
•
•
•
•
•
•
350 species of fish
Crabs
Shellfish
Birds
Mammals
Reptiles and Amphibians
(Bay stat)
Abiotic Components
(Non-living)
•
•
•
•
•
Water Quality
Sunlight
Weather
Soil
Air (pollution)
Current Human Impact on
Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem
Air Pollution
Vehicles, industries, power plants, gas-powered lawn tools, and farm operations:
•
Almost one third of the nitrogen that pollutes the
Bay and its rivers comes from the air
•
Pollution from a very large geographic area can eventually wind up in the Bay
•
Air and water pollution are not separate problems.
There is a close link between the health of our air and the health of our water
Water Quality
Fertilizers, waste water and vehicle emissions: Increased nitrogen and phosphorus fuels unnaturally high algae growth in the water
•
Algae turns color of the water brownish or greenish - blocking sunlight from reaching underwater grasses
•
When algae die they are decomposed by bacteria that consume the oxygen needed by other aquatic creatures in the bay
•
(Bay stat)
•
Without enough oxygen dissolved in the water, aquatic creatures like fish, blue crabs and oysters become stressed or even die. Current Human Impact on
Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem
Over Harvesting of Oysters
• Harms local economy (catch, sale, shucking, packing and shipping)
•
•
Since late 19th century contributed millions of dollars
Was Bay’s most valuable commercial fisheries
• Demise of Bay’s healthy oyster reefs
•
•
Offers less surface area for reef-dwelling
References: Duffy, J. E. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.vims.edu/research/units/programs/icccr/_docs/coastal n.a. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.baystat.maryland.gov/sources.html (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.chesapeakebay.net/discover/bay101/facts Taylor, V., & Allen, P. (Map). Retrieved from http://www.chesapeakebaysampler.com/map.htm