The question is in the images Land use in the Chesapeake Bay

Land use in the Chesapeake Bay watershed has large impacts on water quality and the food web (and thus, fisheries). Describe the ecological mechanisms by which the use of lawn fertilizer in Montgomery County can affect blue crab or striped bass harvest in Newport News. VA.

Solution

The land use in Chesapeake Bay has proven to be a very drastic on as it affects a lot of sea creatures. Some of the reasons that has caused problem to the bay are as follows

1. Air Pollution

2. Agricultural run-off includinig lawn fertilizers and pesticides

3. Stormwater run-off

4. Wastewater run- off

These comprise the chemical components of the deteriation of the water quality and even the effect of the blue crab as these crustaceans depend on the watershed for it\'s breeding and growth and livelihood. These crustaceans then in turn become a source of food when they are small larvae as they serve the planktonic community as food for menhaden, oysters and other filter feeders. As these crabs become bigger they serve as food for the fish, birds and even other blue crabs. These crabs are among the top consumers of bottom-dwelling organisms. Blue crabs are opportunistic feeders that eat thin-shelled bivalves, smaller crustaceans, freshly dead fish, plant and animal detritus, and almost anything else they can find. Because blue crabs feed on marsh periwinkles, they help regulate periwinkle populations. Scientists are concerned that a drop in blue crab populations could harm salt marsh habitat, as periwinkle populations rise and the snails over-feed on marshgrass.

Therefore with the use of fertilizers in the County Area it affects the blue crab in their breeding, growth and even the dependence of other sea creatures on them such as the striped bass and reduces the harvest to a drastic level.