Chesapeake Bay Watershed

By: Katelin Kukk

Known as the largest estuary in the United States, the Chesapeake Bay watershed supports a diverse ecosystem, home to more than 3,600 species of plants and animals. This region provides food, nesting, protection, and more across all 7 habitats, which include: riparian forests, freshwater estuaries, shallow water and bay grasses, open water, islands and inlands, wetlands, and oyster reefs.

However, this aquatic front is under several threats from a variety of factors. Air pollution, urban development, runoff, and climate change are just some of their threats. This not only harms the health of the organisms that reside there, but it also harms the communities that depend on the watershed for fishing, cleaning water, and recreation.

To help combat the struggles the Chesapeake Bay is facing, restoration efforts and advocacy campaigns are being created to protect this important environment. Researchers and volunteers’ objective is to raise public awareness to promote sustainable practices to preserve the health of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed for many generations to come.