Long-term annual aerial surveys of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) support science, management, and restoration

Robert J. Orth; William C. Dennison; Cassie Gurbisz; Michael Hannam; Jennifer L. Keisman; J. Brooke Landry; Jonathan S. Lefcheck; Kenneth A. Moore; Rebecca Murphy; Christopher J. Patrick; Jeremy Testa; Donald E. Weller; David J. Wilcox; Richard A. Batiuk

doi:10.1007/s12237-019-00651-w

Long-term annual aerial surveys of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) support science, management, and restoration

Estuaries and Coasts

By: Robert J. Orth, William C. Dennison, Cassie Gurbisz, Michael Hannam, Jennifer L. Keisman, J. Brooke Landry, Jonathan S. Lefcheck, Kenneth A. Moore, Rebecca Murphy, Christopher J. Patrick, Jeremy Testa, Donald E. Weller, David J. Wilcox, and Richard A. Batiuk

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-019-00651-w

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Abstract

Aerial surveys of coastal habitats can uniquely inform the science and management of shallow, coastal zones, and when repeated annually, they reveal changes that are otherwise difficult to assess from ground-based surveys. This paper reviews the utility of a long-term (1984-present) annual aerial monitoring program for submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) in Chesapeake Bay, its tidal tributaries, and nearby Atlantic coastal bays, USA. We present a series of applications that highlight the program’s importance in assessing anthropogenic impacts, gauging water quality status and trends, establishing and evaluating restoration goals, and understanding the impact of commercial fishing practices on benthic habitats. These examples demonstrate how periodically quantifying coverage of this important foundational habitat answers basic research questions locally as well as globally, and provides essential information to resource managers. New technologies are enabling more frequent and accurate aerial surveys at greater spatial resolution and lower cost. These advances will support efforts to extend the applications described here to similar issues in other areas

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Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	Long-term annual aerial surveys of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) support science, management, and restoration
Series title	Estuaries and Coasts
DOI	10.1007/s12237-019-00651-w
Volume	45
Year Published	2022
Language	English
Publisher	Springer
Contributing office(s)	Maryland-Delaware-District of Columbia Water Science Center
Description	16 p.
First page	1012
Last page	1027
Country	United States
Other Geospatial	Chesapeake Bay
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page