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 2014 aerial imagery, as well as SAV beds that were too small to be visible on the imagery. 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 2014 by:

• Rebecca Golden, Lee Karrh, and Angel Willey of Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD-DNR) for Susquehanna Flats; the Choptank Rivers; and Chincoteague, Sinepuxent, Isle of Wight, and Assawoman bays

• Brian Sturgis of the National Park Service (NPS) for Chincoteague and Sinepuxent bays

• Nancy Rybicki of the United States Geological Service (USGS) for the Potomac River

• Randy Owen of the Virginia Marice Resources Commission (VMRC) for the Rappahannock River

• Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) for South Bay