Teen Adventure: SAV Monitoring

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary

Teen Adventure: SAV Monitoring

What is SAV?

SAV stands for Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
SAV are rooted plants that grow under water in shallow zones where light penetrates.
There are 16 species of SAV commonly found in the Chesapeake Bay or nearby rivers.

Different species provide different functions

Canopy vs. meadow formers (filters vs. anchors)
Nutrient uptake (sediments vs. water column)
Value (water quality, habitat, food)
All are important for the transfer of energy through the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem

The Chesapeake Bay is our nation's largest estuary … a partially enclosed body of water formed where freshwater from rivers flows into the ocean, mixing with the salty sea water.

NATIVE SPECIES

Common

Wild celery (Vallisneria americana)
Redhead Grass
Eelgrass (Zostera marina)
Widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima)

Not as common

Pondweeds (Potamogeton perfoliatus, Potamogeton pusillus, Zanichella palustris, Stuckenia pectinata)
Common waterweed (Elodea canadensis)
Naiads (Najas guadalupensis, najas gracillima)
Coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum)
Water stargrass (Heteranthera dubia)

NON-NATIVE SPECIES

Common Species

Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)
Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)

Not as Common

Curly Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)
Spiny naiad (Najas minor)
Water chestnut (Trapa natans)

The Chesapeake Bay is our nation's largest estuary … a partially enclosed body of water formed where freshwater from rivers flows into the ocean, mixing with the salty sea water. SAV play an important role in the Bay ecosystem. Find out more...

What habitat conditions influence SAV distribution?

Why Should I Care About SAV?

… so what's the problem?

What Can I Do?

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Web site contact: jugbay@toad.net