The goal of this project is to develop and test indicators of ecosystem "health" in Chesapeake Bay as part of a multi-institutional effort on Atlantic Coast Estuaries encompassing four ecosystem types. The major stressor on the Bay is nutrient over-enrichment that has seriously impacted the estuary, resulting in losses of valuable biological resources. Our approach to develop reliable indicators is organized along trophic line, using biota as integrators of changing conditions in the Bay. The study has four primary elements:

Phytoplankton Composition and Primary Productivity

Oxygen Depletion & Physical Indicators

Zooplankton

Biomass Size Spectra

 

Three theme papers were developed from a recent ACE-INC workshop that provide more specifics on the direction of our research efforts (see below).

Indicators: Phytoplankton Composiotion and Productivity

Indicators: Weather Patterns and Climate

Indicators: Biomass Size-Spectrum

 

Be sure to check out the following slide shows depicting sampling methods employed during the ACE-INC UMCES Research Cruises.

• Cruise Year 2002 - Field Operations
• Cruise Year 2003 - Field Operations