Final answer:
Reducing the use of artificial fertilizers and restoring native oyster populations are two ways to lower nutrient pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Additional methods include managing urban runoff with green infrastructure and creating vegetative buffer zones along waterways.
Step-by-step explanation:
To lower nutrient pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, one effective strategy is to reduce the use of artificial fertilizers containing high levels of nitrogen and phosphate. This can be achieved by implementing best management practices (BMPs) in agriculture, such as using cover crops, conservation tillage, and precision farming to minimize runoff. Another method is the restoration of native oyster populations, as oysters naturally filter water and can help remove excess nutrients.
In addition, managing urban runoff by creating green infrastructure like rain gardens and permeable pavements can reduce the amount of nutrients entering the bay from residential areas. Establishing buffer zones along waterways with vegetation that can absorb and filter out nutrients before they reach the water also plays a critical role in tackling nutrient pollution.