The report presents characterizations of the current status of 26 indicator species and two biological communities in each of twelve basins that comprise the Chesapeake Bay. The current status was assessed relative to an appropriate indicator of historical or potential status that was chosen on the basis of species-specific characteristics and data availability and is based on data through 1992. The list of key species examined included ten species of finfish, four species of shellfish, benthos and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) (as communities), four species of waterfowl, six species of colonial nesting waterbirds, and two raptors. The basins used in this characterization are delineated for use in the Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Characterized Report, also developed as part of the Chesapeake Bay Program's reevaluation of the Baywide Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The major tributaries to the Bay--the Patuxent, Potomac, Rappahannock, York, James, and Choptank rivers--are designated as individual basins. Smaller tributaries and major embayments have been aggregated into regional basins.

"September 1994." Includes bibliographic references (p. 207-217)