Chesapeake Bay Research Paper

Imagine a lush, thriving ecosystem full of unique plants, animals, and water systems. Diverse forests, flowing streams, and amazing marshes all unite in a beautiful bay. Now look again.... see an empty, dying forest. See a dry stream and a few lone birds hobbling around a brown and black marsh. That is the shocking reality of the possible future for Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is a complex, large ecosystem made of streams, marshes, forests, and the many plants and animals that live in them. However, due to pollution and over hunting, the bay is in grave danger. Two types of pollution are point-source pollution, which means the pollution can be specifically traced to its origin point, and non-point source pollution, which means …show more content…
People use and throw away so many chemicals everyday, and pollution is killing many species and biodiversity. While some pollutants can be traced to their source, most are non-point sources. These pollutants make their way into the bay and kill many species. According to paragraph 2, “Producing electricity, diverting water for human uses, and building roads, houses, and sewage treatment plants puts stress on the ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay.” Many of our electronics and new technologies are not sustainable and are directly impacting ecosystems like the Chesapeake Bay. Additionally, we impact the bay by our excessive hunting of the animals that live there. Humans clear out the land and kill the animals for their own profit. The text states, “Large tracts of land were cleared out for various uses, leading to loss of forests and habitat. Intensive hunting practices led to the serious decline or extinction of some species like bison, turkeys, wolves, and certain fish.” Wildlife has been dying due to humanity’s carelessness and …show more content…
We can still restore the health of the Bay. Our government is creating action plans and policies in favor of preserving the Chesapeake Bay and other crucial ecosystems. According to Source 2, “Federal, state, and local governments have programs to protect and restore the bay’s water.... restricting point source pollutants and requiring stormwater management in new developments.” It is crucial to implement these rules to start the restoration process. However, big politicians aren’t the only ones that can make a positive impact. Everyday citizens can help restore the bay by making sure their everyday practices are sustainable and eco-friendly. In the section “Pollution Solution” the author states, “We can recycle waste and conserve water.... Progress is being made due to the combined efforts of citizens, industry, and the government.” By preserving water, recycling, and promoting the importance of the bay, we can ensure it is healthy and thriving for many

Show More

Related Documents: Chesapeake Bay Research Paper