Accession Number:

ADA484194

Title:

Large-Scale Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Restoration in Chesapeake Bay: Status Report, 2003-2006

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.

Corporate Author:

ENGINEER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER VICKSBURG MS ENVIRONMENTAL LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Shafer, Deborah J.
• Bergstrom, Peter

Report Date:

2008-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

91.0

Abstract:

In 2003, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center ERDC and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Chesapeake Bay Office began a comprehensive research effort to restore submerged aquatic vegetation SAV in the Chesapeake Bay region. The effort employed an agricultural approach to restore under-water grasses by using seeds to produce new plants and mechanical equipment to plant seeds and harvest. Since this research initiative began, an average of 33 acresyr of SAV has been planted in the Chesapeake Bay, compared to an average rate of 9 acresyr during the previous 21 years 1983 2003. New techniques and equipment developed as part of this research have introduced the capability to collect and disperse millions of eelgrass seeds. These results demonstrate these programs success in developing tools and techniques necessary to plant SAV at scales unattainable with technologies existing only a few years ago.

Descriptors:

• *CHESAPEAKE BAY
• *AQUATIC PLANTS
• *PLANTING
• SEEDS
• VEGETATION
• STORAGE
• GERMINATION

Subject Categories:

• Biology
• Biological Oceanography

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE