Jug  Bay  Wetlands  Sanctuary 

Teen Adventure: SAV Monitoring

Why are SAV Important?

SAV beds are found throughout the Chesapeake Bay, although fewer acres than once found a century ago.

• SAV serves as nursery habitat and refuge from predators for many species of finfish and shellfish.
• Thus SAV indirectly supports various coastal fisheries.
• Studies have shown that densities of juvenile blue crabs can be as much as 30 times greater in SAV beds than in unvegetated areas.
• Blue crabs hide in Bay grasses after molting, while still soft.
• SAV produces oxygen in the water column as part of the photosynthetic process.
• Dissolved oxygen is essential for animals living within the Bay.
• SAV traps sediment that can cloud the water and bury benthic organisms, such as oysters.
• SAV protects shorelines from erosion by slowing down wave action and by anchoring sediment with its roots and rhizomes.
• SAV requires nitrogen and phosphorus for its growth and reproduction. SAV helps to prevent these nutrients from being used to fuel the (unwanted) growth of algae. As the amount of algae is reduced, water clarity is improved.
• SAV makes a significant contribution to ecosystem production; it has annual production rates per square meter similar to that of agriculture.

  What is SAV?

  What habitat conditions influence SAV distribution?

  Why Should I Care About SAV?

  … so what's the problem?

  What Can I Do?

  Click here to go back to the main Teen Adventure: SAV Monitoring page

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