Analysis of Histocial Distribution of SAV in the Eastern Shore Coastal Basins and Mid-Bay Island Complexes as Evidence of Historical Water Quality Conditions and a Restored Bay Ecosystem
Historical black and white format photographs at scales of approximately 1:20,000, dating from 1952 to 1956 were used to delineate the maximum coverage of SAV in the study region. Coverage of photography from decades before and after this period were found to generally to be of poorer quality and show less SAV presence. Photo-interpretation of the aerial photographs was accomplished using a head-up, on-screen digitizing system at fixed image scale of 1:12,000 and followed as closely as possible the methods currently used to delineate SAV beds throughout the Chesapeake Bay as well as the delineation of historical SAV coverage for other region. A total of 13,046 hectares of sub-tidal bottom in the Eastern Shore bay region between the tip of Fisherman’s Island to the Virginia-Maryland border, including the mid-bay island complex, were found to display SAV signatures. Of this historical total, approximately 10,451 ha, or 80%, were determined to be growing at depths shallower than 1 m MLW (Mean Low Water), 2,511 ha or 19% between 1 m and 2 m MLW, and 84 ha o
