1. Chesapeake Bay Research BY: Jasmine Andrews The Bay

2. Why is it important to have a variety of living things in the Bay? It is important to have a variety of living animals in the bay because ribbon worms help keep the Bay clean. Blue Crab make homes for other animals. widgeon grass provides nutrients. My research will show that blue crab, ribbon worms, and widgeon grass are important to the Bay.

3. Ribbon Worms are important to the bay because they eat the algae and keep the bay clean. They range in sizes from 1 to 1 ½ inches. Their bodies aren’t segmented like Earth worms. They are a supply of food for spot and croaker fish.

4. Blue Crab are important to the bay because they supply food. They are called Blue Crab because their backs are a blue-ish color. They are a little smaller than a normal crab. Blue Crab live in the shallow meadows. There are over a million in the bay. Eel, drum, spot and toadfish eat them. We can also eat them.

5. Widgeon Grass is important to the bay because they are homes for other animals. They can soak up nutrients. It gives the ducks food. It lessens waves in the bay. They also help make meadows for blue crab.

6. Conclusion In conclusion I learned that many animals can benefit the Chesapeake Bay, including widgeon grass, ribbon worms, and blue crab, are very important to the bay.

7. Bibliography Bay 101 http://www.chesapeakebay.net/discover/bay1 01 BayVille http://bayville.thinkport.org/default_flash.aspx