1. Why is biodiversity important to the Chesapeake Bay?
One of the most important measures of environmental health is bio-diversity, the measure of the variety of living things within an ecosystem.
A decline in bio-diversity is taking place in different ecosystems around the world.
SAV as a keystone species of the ecosystem within the Chesapeake Bay.
Keystone Species Video

2. Based on the video, what is meant by keystone species?
a species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically.
1. SAV is a keystone species and is beneficial to the bay. Discuss with your partner 3 ways SAV benefits the Bay and record on the graphic organizer. Watch the video and complete the graphic organizer.
Bay Grasses Video
2. If SAV were to disappear, what would humans need to do to replace the benefits that SAV provides? Would there be a cost involved?

4. Ecosystem Services Scientists use the term, ecosystem services to describe the benefits obtained by people from the ecosystem.

5. We all benefit from the services that the ecosystem provides
We all benefit from the services that the ecosystem provides. Ecosystem Services Video The Chesapeake Bay provides many ecosystem services for the people of our region. Think of some of the services provided to people by the bay. Write these in your science notebook and share them with a partner. Be ready to share your ideas with the class.