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A very brief introduction to shore zone ecology

Stuart Findlay and David Strayer

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

Outline

1. Why is shore zone ecology worth managing?

2. How can shore zones best be managed for ecological benefits?

3. What resources are available about the ecology of Hudson River shore zones?

(I wont be talking about human uses of shore zones that are linked to their ecology angling, bird-watching, etc.)

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Part 1: Why is shore zone ecology worth managing?

http://www.springerlink.com/content/147526m7134jnt48/

The shore zone

the region closely adjoining the shoreline in which strong and direct interactions tightly link the terrestrial ecosystem to the aquatic ecosystem

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Human alterations of the shore zone

Half of the worlds population lives in or near shore zones

Humans have vastly changed shore zones About half of the Hudsons shores have been

engineered

Usually done without considering the ecological consequences This attitude seems to be changing

Were trying to be part of this change

Species introductions

OverusePollution

1820 today

Hardening, narrowing, steepening

TidyingStabilizing, shortening, simplifying

Building

Changed energyinputs

and changed hydrology

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Shore zones are biodiverse

Shore zones are ecological hot spots

Produce and capture foodCapture and process pollutants

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Shore zones are highways for

animals and plants

Along the river on the landAlong the river in the waterBlocks and funnels movement perpendicular to the river

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Shore zones can protect infrastructure

Floodplains reduce power and height of floodwaters and reduce damage downriverVegetation and natural structures reduce damage from waves and ice

What determines the ecological functioning of shore zones?

Physical diversity (including structure provided by plants)

Slope

Width

Connectivity

Physical energy

The kinds of plants and animals

Climate

Hydrology

Amount and kind of human activity

Pollution

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Part 2: A few ideas to improve the ecological functioning of shore zones

Preserve physical diversity Resist tidiness Dont squeeze the shore zone! Give the shore zone room to move Provide dispersal corridors Tread lightly Prevent pollution Dont make it so hard! Reduce wave damage Be careful about building in the shore zone

Encourage physical and ecological diversityDont grade evenly; leave swales, puddles, and ridgesUse rough and varied materials for shore defensesMake shorelines sinuous or pocketed in birds eye viewWhen landscaping, use a variety of plant species (native species, if possible) and growth forms (trees, shrubs)Include as much vegetation as possible, on both land and water side, for multiple benefits

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Resist tidiness

Leave driftwood and wrack (ok to remove trash)Leave brush and shrubsDont mow to the waters edge (preserve a buffer strip 10-100 feet wide of unmowed vegetation)Leave standing dead trees and woody debrisDont clear aquatic vegetation unless absolutely necessary

Dont squeeze the shore zone

Avoid filling (land) or deepening (water) to preserve transitional zoneIf the site is going to be disturbed, consider grading banks to reduce steepnessPlan for changing water levels (a vegetated buffer helps)

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Prevent pollution

Minimize use of road salt and fertilizer, which can easily run off into the waterMinimize use of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, many of which arent supposed to be used near waterDont store salt, fuel, pesticides, or other harmful substances in the shore zoneManage surface runoff/drainage water so that you dont start erosion in the shore zone or along the shorelineMinimize disturbance of soils and sediments

Reduce wave damagePost and enforce no-wake zonesAvoid shoreline hardening that can reflect wave energyConsider placing rock sills in front of soft shorelinesA well vegetated shoreline may protect the area behind it from waves and currents during floodsRegularly inspect and maintain structures and vegetation

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Tread lightly in the shore zone

Use paths, plantings, and signs to direct visitors away from the most sensitive areasUse boardwalks to prevent tramplingKeep livestock out of shore zoneLimit number of shoreline access pointsDont run paths directly up and down slopes

Maintain connectivity (no dead ends)

Minimize use of curbs along roadsAvoid building continuous smooth, steep walls (use lower grades, rougher surfaces, and cuts to allow animal passage)Minimize large gaps in the band of vegetation running along the shore

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Dont make it so hard! (Use softer treatments where possible)

Choose the softest treatment that will get the job doneUse natural materials for shore protection where possibleUse slopes (like revetments) instead of vertical walls

Part 3: Tools for understanding the ecology of the Hudsons shore zones

You probably will have to visit the siteTools are available that provide useful informationYoull get hands-on experience with some of these tools later today

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SAV and Wetlands Inventory

BEDROCK

OTHER

MUDSAND

SHORELINE INVENTORY

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Listed (protected) species

Information about whether protected species are known at or around a project site is available from http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/31181.htmlTakes 2-4 weeks to get a reply

Rapid Assessment

Measures predictors and key attributes

Largely applied to shores with human use

Usable with brief training

Citizen science engagement