Volume 6 Number 2

Since its inception in 1984, the Bay Program has been trying to inventory what lives in the soft bottom (the benthos) all over the Chesapeake. This long-term record provides scientists and managers with clues to the well-being of some of the Bay's bottom-dwellers - worms, some clams, insect larvae, and shrimp-like crustaceans. Because these creatures live entirely within the sediment they're called infauna, and in the Bay some 400 species have been identified. Chesapeake Quarterly, Maryland Sea Grant's quarterly magazine, reports on research, extension, education and other Chesapeake Bay issues and activities of interest to the marine community. It is produced and funded by this program, which receives support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Managing Editor, Sandy Rodgers; Contributing Editors, Jack Greer and Michael Fincham; Science Writer, Erica Goldman. more . . . about Sampling Life at the Bottom of the Bay

The benthos encompasses a diverse and somewhat mysterious group of organisms, each playing a distinct role in moving nutrients through the Bay's food web. As they eat, filter (suspension) feeders remove algae from the water column. Some of these organisms, like certain clams and worms, live entirely within the sediment (infauna). But many of the stellar filter feeders of the benthos attach to hard substrate and live on the bottom (epifauna) rather than in it. Epifauna - oysters, mussels, barnacles, sea squirts, and others - are not sampled systematically by the Bay Program and therefore not used in the calculation of the benthic index. According to some researchers, these groups should be added to the annual count. Chesapeake Quarterly, Maryland Sea Grant's quarterly magazine, reports on research, extension, education and other Chesapeake Bay issues and activities of interest to the marine community. It is produced and funded by this program, which receives support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Managing Editor, Sandy Rodgers; Contributing Editors, Jack Greer and Michael Fincham; Science Writer, Erica Goldman. more . . . about A Few Good Filter Feeders

Until we bring back oyster reefs, the mainstem of the Bay may remain poorly served by filter feeders. But what about upstream? Could restoring freshwater filter feeders in streams help clear the water before it ever reaches the larger rivers or the mainstem Bay? Chesapeake Quarterly, Maryland Sea Grant's quarterly magazine, reports on research, extension, education and other Chesapeake Bay issues and activities of interest to the marine community. It is produced and funded by this program, which receives support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Managing Editor, Sandy Rodgers; Contributing Editors, Jack Greer and Michael Fincham; Science Writer, Erica Goldman. more . . . about From Headwater to Bay

Clam culture is a lucrative business at Cherrystone Aqua-Farm on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Could bivalve culture bring another payoff by helping to reduce nutrients in the Bay? Chesapeake Quarterly, Maryland Sea Grant's quarterly magazine, reports on research, extension, education and other Chesapeake Bay issues and activities of interest to the marine community. It is produced and funded by this program, which receives support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Managing Editor, Sandy Rodgers; Contributing Editors, Jack Greer and Michael Fincham; Science Writer, Erica Goldman. more . . . about Clear Water through Clam Culture?

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Maryland Sea Grant will host a performance of 'A Sense of Wonder', a one-woman show based on the life and work of famed writer and naturalist Rachel Carson, who would have turned 100 this year. Chesapeake Quarterly, Maryland Sea Grant's quarterly magazine, reports on research, extension, education and other Chesapeake Bay issues and activities of interest to the marine community. It is produced and funded by this program, which receives support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Managing Editor, Sandy Rodgers; Contributing Editors, Jack Greer and Michael Fincham; Science Writer, Erica Goldman. more . . . about Performance Honors Rachel Carson's Life and Work

Aside from oysters, filter feeders (also called suspension feeders) rarely draw much attention in Bay country. Who are these other filter feeders that call the Chesapeake Bay home? And do they - or could they - thrive in enough numbers to help clear the Bay's murky waters? Chesapeake Quarterly, Maryland Sea Grant's quarterly magazine, reports on research, extension, education and other Chesapeake Bay issues and activities of interest to the marine community. It is produced and funded by this program, which receives support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Managing Editor, Sandy Rodgers; Contributing Editors, Jack Greer and Michael Fincham; Science Writer, Erica Goldman. more . . . about More Information

Aside from oysters, filter feeders (also called suspension feeders) rarely draw much attention in Bay country. Who are these other filter feeders that call the Chesapeake Bay home? And do they - or could they - thrive in enough numbers to help clear the Bay's murky waters? Chesapeake Quarterly, Maryland Sea Grant's quarterly magazine, reports on research, extension, education and other Chesapeake Bay issues and activities of interest to the marine community. It is produced and funded by this program, which receives support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Managing Editor, Sandy Rodgers; Contributing Editors, Jack Greer and Michael Fincham; Science Writers, Erica Goldman and Jessica Smits. more . . . about Video Spotlights