Analysis Of The Salt Marsh Islands At Jamaica Bay

1313 Words3 Pages

Julia Zhou

Salt Marsh Islands at Jamaica Bay

The tidal salt marshes make vital contributions to the ecosystem in Jamaica Bay. The marshes help spawning processes and are primary nursery for species important to both recreational and commercial uses, providing protection from storm surges, and also removing pollutants and other toxic substances, which as a result, acts as a natural filter, improving the water quality in the bay. Salt marshes are low lying, grasslands that periodically become overwhelmed and drained by high tides. The fish and shellfish nurseries and are also a feeding ground for various species of wildlife in the ecosystem. They support a variety of invertebrates such as mussels, shrimp, oysters and horseshoe crabs that are key elements of the estuarine ecosystem. However, throughout the past few decades, the salt marshes at Jamaica Bay has significantly declined which created a tremendous negative impact on the general public in addition to the deterioration on the living habitats in the area. Many factors contribute to the decline such as sediment depletion, neighboring developments, increased tidal ranges, and especially nitrogen loading from untreated sewage. Although the damages done were unintentional, much of it was occurred due to negligence. As awareness has increased, restoration efforts have escalated as well as various groups respond well to mitigate the losses.
Firstly, we need to gain a general understanding of the structure and functions of the salt marshes in Jamaica Bay. Salt marshes are most commonly manifested through the arrival of seeding’s of the cord grass known as Spartina alterniflora. The grass spreads asexually through the aquatic habitats beneath the earths’ surface. The grass becomes...

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...s is priceless. Whether it’s through public awareness or implementation of policies, the end goal and objective is to provide sustainability for future generations ahead.

Sources:
- http://www.imms.org/downloads/brochure/IMMS_TidalMarshPlants_Brochure_trifold-final.pdf

- http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/state-pumps-money-salt-marsh-restoration-jamaica-bay-article-1.1317437

- http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/state-pumps-money-salt-marsh-restoration-jamaica-bay-article-1.1317437

- http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/jamaica-bay-salt-marsh-island-rebuilt-army-corps-engineers-19-million-project-article-1.1059853

- http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/jamaica-bay-salt-marsh-island-rebuilt-army-corps-engineers-19-million-project-article-1.1059853

- http://www.nps.gov/gate/naturescience/marshrestoration.htm

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