Ground surveys were accomplished by cooperative efforts from a number of agencies
and individuals. Although not all areas of Chesapeake Bay were ground surveyed, the data did provide valuable supplemental
information. The ground surveys confirmed the existence of some SAV beds mapped
from the 2011 1:24,000 scale aerial photography, as well as SAV beds that were too small to be visible
on the 1:24,000 scale photography. The surveys also provided species data for many of
the SAV beds. Ground survey information supplied to VIMS researchers is included on
the SAV distribution and abundance digital maps and included
in the VIMS SAV GIS Database. The group that performed each survey is designated by a unique symbol to
identify the different methods of sampling. In many cases the symbols on the SAV maps
have been offset from the actual sampling point to avoid
confusion with the mapped SAV bed. Where species information was available, it is
included on the map. Because of space limitations on the maps, occasionally one or more survey points are combined where the information was duplicated. All ground survey data supplied to VIMS are tabulated in the ground survey table.
Ground survey data were obtained in 2011 by:
Peter Bergstrom of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for Jug Bay; Magothy, Patapsco, Patuxent, Potomac, and Severn rivers; and Susquehanna Flats.
Jessica Alexander, Jake Esposito, and Lauren Leese of Maryland Environmental Service (MES) for Hart-Miller Island.
Rebecca Golden, Lee Karrh, Brooke Landry, and Mitch Tarnowski of Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD-DNR) for Back, Choptank, Elk, Gunpowder, Honga, Middle, Patuxent, Poquoson, Potomac, Sassafras, Severn, and Sinepuxent rivers; Assawoman, Chincoteague, Isle of Wight, and Sinepuxent bays; and Susquehanna Flats
Roman Jesien of Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) for Isle of Wight Bay
Todd Beser of Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) for Susquehanna Flats.
Brian Sturgis of National Park Service (NPS) for Chincoteague, Isle of Wight, and Sinepuxent bays.
Terry Willis of Chesapeake College (CC) for Chester River
Evamaria Koch of University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science - Horn Point Laboratory (UMCES) for Tangier Sound; Chesapeake and Fleets Bay; and Choptank, Honga, Patuxent, Piankatank, Sassafras, and Severn rivers
Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) for areas of the Chesapeake that include Back, James, Piankatank, Rappahannock, and York rivers; Broad and Mobjack bays; and Chincoteague, Cobb, South, and Spidercrab bays along the eastern shore of the Delmarva Peninsula.
