Providing science-based information, tools, and skills to promote resilient communities and clean and healthy streams, rivers and watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay. |
Climate Sensitivity Study An analysis of long-term climate data (114 years) from the National Weather Service & CBNERR locations to determine if there is evidence of physical climate change.  The Chesapeake Bay and local waterways support local economies (fisheries, tourism, etc), recreation (beaches, scenic views, etc) and provide essential habitats and environmental function (water filtration, bird flyways, nursery grounds etc), For all these reasons, scientists, decision-makers, and citizens are questioning how changes in land use and climate will affect the ecosystems, and the connected economy, of Chesapeake Bay. This is why managers, researchers, and educators from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric  Administration, The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserves of Maryland and Virginia, and Chesapeake Environmental Communications have partnered to investigate this large question! To find out more: www.chesapeakedata.com/changingchesapeake/
Approach
Additionally, three vignettes or stories where developed to show how the climate changes are leading to impacts both on the land and in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay.
Partners
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The project team went through a systematic analysis of 26 climate extreme indices and 114 years (1895-2014) of meteorological data to determine if there is evidence of climate change and are there difference between the Maryland and Virginia portions of the Chesapeake Bay. The findings were compiled into a white paper that summarized and provided visualizations for the 26 climate indices. 
Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Reserve |