Yesterday I was reminded of the uniqueness of New York City's varied ecological landscapes. I took part in an ongoing wetland monitoring project that the city Parks Department is carrying out to assess the state of our region's wetlands. Venturing out into a tidal salt marsh on Staten Island, I battled knee-high, putrid mud, boggy water traps lying hidden between the hummocks of salt marsh grasses, and dense Phragmites stands that rose 10+ feet high over my head. Despite the great deal of energy it took to extract myself from the mud when I occasionally became mired in it, as well as the strategy of jumping from one hummock to another, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to catalog the biodiversity in this particular salt marsh.
Between measurements of vegetative life, and during periods of much needed rest, I also observed the wildlife that existed right here in the middle of this urban environment. Fiddler crabs (hundreds of these creatures), many different species of dragon flies, and a great deal of marine birds provided a testament to the importance of salt marshes in terms of sustaining wildlife and providing a unique habitat. The ultimate goal of the monitoring project is to prioritize the restoration and management strategies of New York City's wetland regions. It is hoped that this will improve the general health of these habitats, as well as improving the ecological services these systems provide to the city.
Why are salt marshes important? Let me count the ways. While most of us may never venture onto one, they are far more than a place where water levels rise and fall a couple of times a day. They are not the barren places our predecessors thought they were - land that was wasted and needed reclaiming. For coastal regions that must face the constant onslaught of the seas, salt marshes are the padding that reduce the destructive nature of wave action and tidal extremes caused by storms. Not only do they protect humans as well as the land from these physical forces, they also work to create a seamless zone between dry land and sea for biological life to exist. The plants which have evolved to tolerate high salt contents and the shellfish that live at their water-logged base, help to filter the water and alter the chemical compounds within the water so that a diverse range of plants and animals can inhabit the area. In addition, far from being a place where mosquitoes and other biting insects thrive, a healthy salt marsh contains predators which help to control the pest populations.
I for one am very glad that there has been an attitude adjustment about salt marshes and wetlands in general. This is an example where politicians, planners, and the general public have to a large degree paid attention to studies of scientists to inform and alter their views of a particular issue. This change in mindset also comes at a critical time. As climate change continues, and sea levels continue to rise, tidal marshes are fast becoming a threatened ecosystem. Urban development often comes right up to a salt marsh, which will prevent it from naturally retreating to higher ground and thus preserving the ecosystem as sea levels rise. Increased frequency of droughts and changes to the sedimentation regime (brought on by rivers silting up or being dredged) also pose a high risk to the health and stability of these ecosystems. I encourage political leaders and city planners to pursue restoration of our salt marshes and in some cases creating man-made marshes which will not only protect their urban centers from flood damage but will preserve these truly amazing pockets of life.
Between measurements of vegetative life, and during periods of much needed rest, I also observed the wildlife that existed right here in the middle of this urban environment. Fiddler crabs (hundreds of these creatures), many different species of dragon flies, and a great deal of marine birds provided a testament to the importance of salt marshes in terms of sustaining wildlife and providing a unique habitat. The ultimate goal of the monitoring project is to prioritize the restoration and management strategies of New York City's wetland regions. It is hoped that this will improve the general health of these habitats, as well as improving the ecological services these systems provide to the city.
Why are salt marshes important? Let me count the ways. While most of us may never venture onto one, they are far more than a place where water levels rise and fall a couple of times a day. They are not the barren places our predecessors thought they were - land that was wasted and needed reclaiming. For coastal regions that must face the constant onslaught of the seas, salt marshes are the padding that reduce the destructive nature of wave action and tidal extremes caused by storms. Not only do they protect humans as well as the land from these physical forces, they also work to create a seamless zone between dry land and sea for biological life to exist. The plants which have evolved to tolerate high salt contents and the shellfish that live at their water-logged base, help to filter the water and alter the chemical compounds within the water so that a diverse range of plants and animals can inhabit the area. In addition, far from being a place where mosquitoes and other biting insects thrive, a healthy salt marsh contains predators which help to control the pest populations.
I for one am very glad that there has been an attitude adjustment about salt marshes and wetlands in general. This is an example where politicians, planners, and the general public have to a large degree paid attention to studies of scientists to inform and alter their views of a particular issue. This change in mindset also comes at a critical time. As climate change continues, and sea levels continue to rise, tidal marshes are fast becoming a threatened ecosystem. Urban development often comes right up to a salt marsh, which will prevent it from naturally retreating to higher ground and thus preserving the ecosystem as sea levels rise. Increased frequency of droughts and changes to the sedimentation regime (brought on by rivers silting up or being dredged) also pose a high risk to the health and stability of these ecosystems. I encourage political leaders and city planners to pursue restoration of our salt marshes and in some cases creating man-made marshes which will not only protect their urban centers from flood damage but will preserve these truly amazing pockets of life.
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