Improving Our River Habitat

Improving Our River Habitat. . , The shoreline along the Hudson River Estuary in Manhattan and beyond once supported thriving salt marshes, oyster reefs and eel grass beds, which collectively created a rich estuary ecosystem. Over time, industrialization, landfill and the construction of seawalls resulted in the loss of 85% on New York’s native salt marsh habitats., At the Gansevoort Peninsula, Hudson River Park took advantage of a unique opportunity to reintroduce an intertidal salt marsh to the Hudson River. This restoration involved the placement of various shoreline features to enrich the Hudson River’s habitat., At the highest elevation, plantings create foraging grounds for shore birds. Within the adjacent salt marsh, water enters and then exits during the two daily tidal cycles. At low tide, the rocky intertidal area is exposed, offering hard surfaces where marine organisms like algae, barnacles, mussels and oysters can settle. Within the water columns, submerged habitat structures include oyster gabions and reef balls enhance the muddy shallow area while simultaneously reducing wave energy., Together, these habitat features create a robust shoreline ecosystem and act as a biological defense against costal flooding and storm surge impacts. Natural shoreline restoration is an important green tool that can help build resiliency in the face of climate change., Upland Plantings , This area is dominated by salt-resistant flowering plants and shrubs, including groundsel trees, switchgrass and seaside goldenrod. These plants offer an important food source and habitat for local and migrating birds., Salt Marsh , These highly productive ecosystems are commonly dominated by cordgrass including Spartina alterniflora. Marshes are integral buffer zones between land and water that protect shorelines from coastal flooding., Rocky Tidal Zone , This rocky area floods with the daily tides and is populated by organisms uniquely adapted for changing conditions. At high tide, oysters and barnacles open their shells to feed on plankton while at low tide, the close to protect themselves from drying out., Reef Balls , Submerged even at low tide, reef balls dot the river’s muddy bottom. These concrete spheres were seeded with oysters, creating new reef habitat while also providing protection for foraging fish species., Oyster Gabions , Next to the reef balls are oyster gabions stacked in pyramidal formations to protect the adjacent shoreline habitat. These large metal containers are filled with opened shells and seeded with juvenile oysters.