Air pollution also is an ecosystem stressor, contributing nitrogen and toxic chemicals directly to the land and Bay waters. This is a challenge to address because, in addition to local air pollution sources, there are sources located outside the Bay watershed which greatly impact the Chesapeake Bay. Landscape changes also cause a problem for the Bay watershed. The loss of wetlands, forests and other open space to development places stress on the ecosystem. And, it's expected to continue growing at a rate of 300 new people each day.
Sedimentation occurs when soil and other solids wash into the Bay and rivers.
Sedimentation clouds the water and smothers habitat and creatures living on the bottom, such as oysters, and has a large effect on the ecosystem. Over-harvesting of living resources disturbs the food web, by depleting stocks of fish, oysters, crabs and other shellfish. This depletion can lead to the eventual collapse of the entire ecosystem. Although challenging, protecting the Bay is not hopeless. Reductions in any combination of stressors will help the Bay ecosystem to improve.