Restoration of living resources and vital habitat is the highest priority of Chesapeake 2000. The CBP is developing plans to restore vital habitats and living resources including submerged aquatic vegetation and fisheries.

Also, the Department of Interior is developing conservation measures to protect water birds in the Atlantic Flyway. To develop the strategies to conserve and restore the ecosystem, scientific information is needed to understand the complex relation of living resources and associated habitats to environmental factors in the Bay and its watershed. The USGS will focus on documenting the factors affecting the health of fish and water birds and their habitats.

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
Wetlands
Stream Corridors
Invasive Species
Fish Health
Water Birds

The spotlight is on SCOTER TELEMETRY RESEARCH:  During March-May, 2002, USGS researchers at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC) in Laurel, Maryland, successfully captured and instrumented 20 scoters. The research is part of an international seaduck program funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Canadian Wildlife Service, and the Sea Duck Joint Venture. Seven surf scoters from the Chesapeake Bay were instrumented with internal satellite transmitters (PTT-100) in late-March and early-April and 13 black scoters from the Restigouche River, New Brunswick, Canada, were instrumented with similar transmitters in early May. All surf scoters in the Chesapeake Bay were captured with a capture net, shot with a special gun from a fast-moving boat. Black scoters in New Brunswick, Canada, were captured at night with dip nets from a slowly moving boat equipped with floodlights on the bow of the boat. Movements of the ducks to breeding and subsequent molting areas will be tracked by satellites and all data will be available to researchers and the public on a website maintained by PWRC. Data from this study will help in delineating the populations of these poorly understood and understudied ducks. Researchers from PWRC involved with the capture of scoters included Kevin Brittingham, Daniel Day, Edward Lohnes, Peter Osenton, Matthew Perry, and Alicia Wells. Numerous persons from the Canadian Wildlife Service and Provincial governments assisted with the capture in Canada. At both locations PWRC veterinarian, Dr. Glenn Olsen, instrumented all ducks. For further information contact Dr. Matthew C. Perry (Matt_Perry@USGS.GOV) or view the location maps on the Web site at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/resshow/perry/scoters/default.htm

Latest:

• Bay Naturalist: protecting potholes will help bring ruddy ducks back to Bay...http://www.bayjournal.com/article.cfm?article=83


• Learn more about USGS studies related to migratory waterfowl...http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/resshow/perry/foodhabits.htm

Please visit the Programs and Projects page to find links to the USGS programs focused on the habitat and resources of the Bay. The Data page gives information and links on various USGS data and spatial information sites concerned with the Bay area and its associated habitats.

Visit the Spotlight Archive page for a listing of sites that have been featured on the USGS Chesapeake Bay Web.

We welcome suggestions or comments that would make this Web site more useful.

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