Observations and models have been used to guide management efforts in Chesapeake Bay since the 1980s. These include measurements and simulations of the airshed, watershed and estuary and also measurements and simulations of living resource components such as submerged aquatic vegetation, oysters and fish. The measurements are critical for model validation and the models provide a means to make predictions and set total maximum daily load (TMDL) targets. Basic research is also critical for advancing the mechanistic understanding upon which model development is based.
The Chesapeake Community Modeling Program (CCMP) is a long-term collaborative effort that is dedicated to advancing the cause of accessible, open-source observations and environmental models of the Chesapeake Bay in support of research and management efforts. As a complementary activity to the CBP modeling effort, and with support from Chesapeake Research Consortium (CRC) member institutions and the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO), the CCMP seeks to improve access to data, modeling tools and related resources specific to the Chesapeake Bay, its watershed, and connected environmental systems by fostering collaborative open-source research and communication.
The CCMP is also committed to shedding light on emerging concerns and conflicts as they relate to regulatory thresholds and the environmental models that are used to set them, focusing on topics such as understanding, communication, and credibility. By bringing together modelers, managers, scientists, and stakeholders at meetings and workshops the CCMP strives to highlight the unique issues and concerns of each of these groups and provide a venue for open dialogue that will hopefully lead to greater understanding and adoption of these and other models.