Chesapeake Bay Research

1. Chesapeake Bay Research BY: Ashley Squire

2. Why is it important to have a variety of animals in the Bay? • It is important to have a variety of living things in the Bay. Blue crabs are important to the Bay because they are a good food source. Oysters are a good food source because they keep the Bay. Widgeon grass is important to the Bay because they help keep the Bay healthy. My research will show that Blue crabs , Oysters, Widgeon grass are all important to the Bay.

3. Blue crabs • Blue crabs are important to the Bay because they are a food source. Adult Blue crabs can grow up to 9 inches. Male and female crabs can be recognized their gender by their. Female aprons changes as they mature. Immature female crabs have a triangular apron. Mature females aprons are rounded. A male Blue crab’s apron is long and slender. Blue crabs front paws are blue with a olive or blue mixed with green. The females tips are red. They also have a pair of paddle shaped legs for swimming. From an economic stand point, Blue crabs are an important Cray species to other fisheries in the Bay.

4. Oysters • Oysters are important to the Bay because they keep the the bay clean. Oysters are filter feeders on phytoplankton. Also they provide food for other organisms. Most of all, help keep the water clean.

5. Widgeon Grass • Widgeon Grass help keep the Bay clean because they help keep it healthy. Widgeon Grass’s rhizomes anchor soils and sediments at the rear of the bay, keep the water clean. Widgeon Grass produce oxygen that creatures need to survive. When Widgeon Grass is in clusters, it slows down the effect of land erosion, and keeping larvae from being destroyed.

6. Conclusion • In conclusion I learned that Blue crabs, Oysters and Widgeon Grass are all important to the bay because they help keep the bay healthy, clean and are good food sources.

7. Bibliography • Chesapeake Bay Program www.chesapeakebay.net/ • Bay Quest • www.bayville.thinkport.org