As Water Flows , So Goes the Health of Our Coasts

L use has an enormous impact on the coastal aquatic system of the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA.The problems associated with land use and land management practices on the Chesapeake Bay are amplified by the high ratio of land to water. Thus, widespread land use changes significantly impact the bay’s hydrology, water quality and ecology.These impacts promoted a sequence of management initiatives, each more extensive than its predecessors.The Chesapeake Bay offers a great case study in the challenges and opportunities for managing land use impacts on coastal systems.