News Ecosystems

Pollution regulations help Chesapeake Bay seagrass rebound

The bay’s nitrogen concentrations have dropped 23 percent since 1984

seagrass

LUSH LAWNS  Once dwindling seagrasses and other underwater plants in the Chesapeake Bay have rebounded in recent years, providing important habitat for animals such as this blue crab.

Jay Fleming

By Laurel Hamers

Underwater grasses are growing back in the Chesapeake Bay. The plants now carpet three times as much real estate as in 1984, thanks to more than 30 years of efforts to reduce nitrogen pollution.