Chesapeake Bay

1
Chesapeake Bay

• Our Own Backyard!!!

2
The Bay isnt just

• one body of water
• a place to boat
• a food source
• something we cross on the way to Ocean City
• something simple

3
It Also

• drains 64,000 miles of land
• runs from New York to Virginia
• INCLUDES WEST VIRGINIA!!
• 15 million people living around the bay

4
The Bay is Open Bay Waters

• habitat near shore to depth of 6 feet
• light is needed to penetrate to the bottom
• supports seaweed other grasses
• crabs oysters
• fish ducks
• many other species!!!

5
The Bay is Aquatic Reefs

• made from densely packed oyster shells
• takes thousands of years to build
• habitat for fish, shellfish crabs

6
The Bay is Shallow Water

• extreme temperature change
• affected greatly by climate
• fallen trees provide shelter
• predators hunt here
• at edge of shoreline

7
The Bay is Streams Rivers

• nurseries for ocean fish
• provide fresh water
• 90 of fresh water comes from 5 rivers
• Potomac
• Rappahannick
• York
• James
• Susquehanna

8
The Bay is Wetlands

• removes poisons from the bay
• controls flooding erosion
• fish animal habitat
• natural resources
• recreation

9
The Bay is Forests

• roots hold soil in place
• leaves cool the streams
• prevent excess nutrients from entering bay
• provides habitat

10
The Bay is also Pirates

• but thats for you to research!