A new report on the Chesapeake Bay’s underwater grasses, a critical but often unseen part of the Bay’s ecosystem, shows a mix of encouraging gains and concerning losses across the watershed.

Underwater grasses grow along the Bay floor and provide essential habitat for blue crabs, striped bass, and menhaden, among other species. They also cool surrounding waters during heat waves and help buffer against acidification tied to climate change.

“Underwater grasses are really a critical habitat to a lot of important species,” said Joe Wood, Virginia Senior Scientist with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. “They also have a cooling effect when it’s really hot out.”

While these grasses help filter pollution and clean the Bay, they also depend on clean water to survive. They need sunlight to grow, a

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