Students explore Chesapeake Bay biomes, diversity

AP Environmental Science classes recently collected scientific data aboard the Jenny S., a 40-foot research vessel, with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). The class was studying aquatic biomes and biodiversity and was able to put their classroom knowledge on display in the field. 

According to the Chesapeake Bay with the Education Coordinator at CBF, Collegiate students observed the most species he had seen, breaking the previous record of 40! The students recorded over 50 species of marine organisms, including the lookdown, spider crab, Atlantic bottlenose dolphin and the black-cheeked tonguefish. They also examined the Chesapeake Bay in terms of geography, tides and ecology. 

The afternoon portion of the experience included students taking water quality measurements, including dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, turbidity and pH. They used these in a classroom-style discussion of the health of the bay and talked about what they can do to help. They concluded the trip by looking at fisheries and sustainability, with all students getting hands-on by retrieving crab pots in Broad Bay and looking at the organisms inside.

For more information, please contact Dr. Frank Thomson.