ANNAPOLIS — A new report says that underwater grasses in the Chesapeake Bay have declined by nearly 40 percent.
The Chesapeake Bay Program released a report last week that said a factor in the decline could be attributed to more water flowing from rivers into the bay following record rainfalls.
Underwater grasses are a key indicator of the bay's health and help to protect wildlife such as crabs.
The increase in fresh water can reduce clarity in the bay and block sunlight from reaching the underwater grasses.
The Chesapeake Bay Program is a regional partnership of various organizations that are focused on restoring the bay's health.