2011 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Principal focus of the CEAP Watershed Studies is to evaluate the effects and benefits of conservation practices at the watershed scale, in support of policy decisions and program implementation. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) The effects of conservation activities on water and soil quality will be assessed at the watershed scale using models such as ARS' Soil and Water Assessment Tool, in combination with ARS long-term watershed data sets, expertise, and resources. 3.Progress Report This project involved assessment of conservation practices in the Choptank River Watershed on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Agricultural best management practices were evaluated include winter cover crops, controlled drainage structures on ditches and wetland restoration. Including:. 1)assessing winter cover crop performance in the Tuckahoe sub-basin and. 2)monitoring of water quality 15 sub-watersheds also provided a long term baseline for assessment of land use and management changes on improvement of water quality. Satellite data was acquired during the cropping season to assess success of winter cover crops for nitrogen uptake. Ecosystem service provision by wetlands were measured and correlated to biophysical measurements from remotely sensed data. Project participants meet on a regular basis to review progress on this project.