Marsh Cord Grass, Spartina alterniflora

Marsh Cord Grass, Spartina alternifloraMarsh cord grass has adapted to life in a salty environment. As a result it dominates the landscape of the salt marsh ecosystem. While the plant has evolved the ability to transport oxygen to its roots, the burrows of fiddler crabs also provide oxygen deep beneath the surface of the mud.1Marsh Periwinkle, Littorina irrorataThe marsh periwinkle can be found on marsh cord grass S. alterniflora, usually above the water so that they can avoid predation by blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus and fish. They eat detritus, microalgae, and fungus, the latter they can actually farm!2American Oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatusThe American Oystercatcher is one of the most striking shorebirds in the estuarine environment. They nest on beaches in the spring and can be found in large flocks in the winter. As their name suggests, they feed on oysters by quickly snipping the abductor muscle of those whose shells are open.3Fiddler Crab, Uca spp.Fiddler crabs are small scavenging crustaceans that create burrows in the mud of salt marshes. They use these burrows to evade predators. The males can be identified by their one large claw which they use to attract mates.4Clapper Rail, Rallus longirostrisAlso called marsh hens, they get their name from the clapping sound of their call. They nest in marsh cord grass above the high tide, and eat a variety of organisms including: Fish, insects, seeds, crustaceans and mollusks.5Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodiasThe largest of North Americas heron species, the Great Blue Heron is a long-legged wader commonly found in the salt marsh. Its diet includes: crustaceans, fish, frogs, mice and even snakes.6Bottlenose dolphin, Turisops truncatusThe most common marine mammal that inhabits our estuaries, bottlenose dolphins can be seen breaching in search of food. South Carolinas lowcountry is the only documented area where strand fishing occurs. This strategy is thought to be a learned behavior where groups, or pods, of dolphins work in teams and push their prey, usually mullet, onto sand bars, thus stranding them and making it easier to feed. 7Brown Pelican, Pelicanus occidentalisBrown pelicans can be seen either gliding just above the surface of the water or plunging head first in search of fish. They are a large bird whose wingspan can exceed 6 feet. Brown pelicans stand on their eggs, using the webbing of their feet to keep them warm during incubation.8Striped Mullet, Mugil cephalusCommonly found in large schools in the estuaries, the striped mullet makes up the forage base for a variety of birds, mammals, and other fish. They are filter feeders, and can eat invertebrates too. They can be seen jumping completely out of the water multiple times in succession. 9Snowy Egret, Leucophoyx thulaThe snowy egret is a stunning wading bird that stalks the shallows of the flooded marsh grass and shorelines of the estuaries. Its diet consists mainly of small fish, but also eats crustaceans, mollusks, frogs, lizards, and insects. It is smaller than the Great egret, has a black beak and yellow feet. The Great egret has a yellow beak and black feet. 10Great Egret, Leucophoyx thulaThe great egret is a stunning wading bird that stalks the shallows of the flooded marsh grass and shorelines of the estuaries. Its diet consists mainly of small fish, but also eats crustaceans, mollusks, frogs, lizards, insects and even small mammals. It is larger than the snowy egret, has a yellow beak and black feet. The snowy egret has a black beak and yellow feet. 11Blue Crab, Callinectes sapidusBlue crabs are scavengers, and will consume both live and dead organisms. Adult blue crabs shed their shells, molt every few weeks, resulting in a soft shell crab or peeler as they are locally known. Females can be distinguished by their orange claws and (if ripe) by the presence of an orange egg sac on their abdomens. The blue crab constitutes an important commercial fishery in South Carolina. 12American alligator, Alligator mississippiensisThe American alligator is one of conservations biologys greatest success stories. Once it was classified as an endangered species it has since been delisted. In fact, in 2008 the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources opened a limited-take hunting season in South Carolina 13Wood stork, Mycteria americana The wood stork is found throughout the southeast United States. It is a large wading bird whose diet consists mostly of fish. It can be found nesting in trees, usually near shallow ponds. The wood stork is the only stork that breeds in the United States where it has endangered status. It can 14Red fox, Vulpes vulpes The red fox is omnivorous, eating everything from rodents, rabbits, fruits, vegetables, and in densely populated areas, even garbage. Red foxes mate in the winter and can have as many as 12 pups in the spring. Pups usually get their red coat when they are one month old. 15Cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus Also called a water moccasin, the cottonmouth is one of several species of venomous snakes that can be found in the area. Their diet can include fish, frogs, lizards and even baby alligators! This species can be found basking in the sun near aquatic habitats.16Eelgrass

Fact: Eelgrass can only tolerate short periods of exposure to air. It is an important food source for ducks and geese

Importance: Eelgrass grows in large beds. As a result it serves as vital nursery grounds for juvenile fish and crustaceans providing habitat and refuge from predators and current. Grass beds also trap sediments that may be infused with pollutants or food. The complex root systems will also stabilize sediments and help prevent erosion.17

Graceful Red WeedFACT: Lives in association with Eelgrass. Can be found in placid bays and high energy estuaries.

Importance: Opportunistic species that is often found in bays where eutrophication occurs.

18Other Seaweeds of Eastern Canada

Ditch Weed

Tube weedSea lettuce

Bladder wrack

Hollow Green Weed19Molluscs:Mussels and Clams

False Angelwing (Clam)

Ribbed MusselClams generally live in the sediment whereas mussels usually attach to substrate (grass roots). Both are filter feeders, can bioaccumulate toxins and both are sensitive to sedimentation.

MMMMMMMM!20Oysters

Diet: Filter feeders. Diatoms, algae, plankton

Habitat: hard bottoms/structure

Importance: Filter water, Create ideal habitat, protect habitat by reducing erosion and impact of wave action (even anthropogenic). Commercial/recreational fishery.

21Molluscs:Mussels and Clams

Bay Quahaug. A.K.A Hardshell clam

Quahaug, Rhode Island

Soft shell clamBoth species (Except Stewie) are harvested commercially and recreationally. Ever heard of chowder?22Marsh Periwinkle, Littorina irrorataThe marsh periwinkle can be found on marsh cord grass S. alterniflora, usually above the water so that they can avoid predation by blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus and fish. They eat detritus, microalgae, and fungus, the latter they can actually farm!23Crustaceans:Lobsters

American Lobster (Homarus americanus)Diet: Scavenger, and living fish, crabs, mollusks and other lobstersHabitat: Cold, shallow water. Grass and rocks (refuge from predators)Importance: $1 Billion industry in Canada exports to over 50 countries

24Crustaceans:Crabs/ShrimpSnow CrabNorthern Shrimp

Diet: Carnivorous/Scavengers (detritivores)Habitat: cold water; soft, muddy bottoms. Will go deep if water warms above 6 CImportance: $250 Million shrimping industry. The first in Canada to receive the Marine Stewardship Council award for being a sustainable fishery. Diet: Carnivorous/Scavengers (detritivores)Habitat: Cold/Muddy bottoms. Very small temperature range (3-4 C) may make them succeptible to G.W.Importance: Male only fishery with size limits, limited season, and fishing quotas.25WormsDiets: Worms can be carnivores, detritivores, filter feeders, herbivores, and omnivores. Some can even farm their own food!

Habitat: Worms may either move freely in the mud, swim through the water column, build concrete tubes, or build tubes (burrows) in the soft sediment of the sea floor. Some can be found in the intertidal zone.

Importance: Make up the beginning stages of decomposition. Constitute large portion of the food base for many species (incl. birds, mammals, fish, and crustaceans). Some can aerate substrates.

26Fish

American Eel, Anguilla rostrataDiet: Carnivorous (fish, molluscs, crustaceans)

Habitat: Easter Canada is Northern extent. Catadromous. Nocturnal, and when in estuaries they burrow in muddy areas away from sunlight and can be deterred by moonlight in full moon situations

Importance: Fishery is over $5 million annually. Mostly driven by Asian demand for elvers. Currently eel populations are declining and more information is needed to succesfully manage stocks.

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FishDiet: filter feeders (plankton algae) Habitat: Anadromous. Local maturing grounds Importance: Recreational and Commercial Fisheries. May become landlocked and use freshwater estuaries as migration routes.American shad, Alosa sapidissima

Shad, Alewifes, and Herrings

Alewife, Alosa pseudolarengus Blueback Herring, Alosa aestivalis 28

FishDiet: CarnivorousHabitat: Where do you think? (Estuarine and Offshore, even fresh water)Importance: Recreational/Commercial FisheriesFlatfish: Flounders and solesWinter Flounder

WindowpaneYellowtail flounder

Witch Flounder29FishDiet: CarnivorousHabitat: Freshwater/saltwater or both? (anadromous)Importance: Recreational and Commercial Fishery

SalmonidsAtlantic SalmonBrook Trout

30FishGroundfishDiet: CarnivorousHabitat: Benthic, mostly offshoreImportance: Traditionally important commercial fisheries. Atlantic cod will never be the same!

Atlantic halibutAtlantic CodAtlantic Tomcod31BirdsDouble-Crested Cormorant

Greater ScaupFish eater, that can dive deep in search of prey. No oil glands for waterproofingSnakelike neck makes it an efficient predator on fish and other aquatic organisms.Dives to feed on a variety of aquatic organisms including plants, seeds and animals.Almost solely found in marine/estuarine environments32BirdsRed Breasted Merganser

BrantFish eating diving birdPrefers salty water but is also found in fresh waterBill has toothlike projections for holding captured fish; AKA, Sawbill.

Herbivorous small goose that feeds on eelgrass.Feeds by dabblingBreeds in the high arctic tundra winters along N. Americas coast33Birds

Canada GooseAnother Dabbling herbivorous goose.Feeds on grasses, including terrestrial grasses and aquatic grasses and sedges (eelgrass and skunk cabbage)Often seen flying in V formations

34Osprey, Pandion haliaetusThis raptor is commonly found throughout the estuarine environment. They are often seen above our waterways searching for fish. When diving for their meal they can reach speeds of 80mph. Its nests are among the largest built by any birds measuring at least 5 feet diameter and 3 feet deep 35

Birds

Bald EagleLarge raptor often seen soaring in search of food.Prefers fish but often eats large ducks, mammals and carrion.Once threatened with extinction, has since made an extraordinary comeback

36BirdsHerring Gull

Great Black Backed GullRing-Billed Gull

Gulls are shoreline inhabitants that feed on a variety of items (omnivorous) including refuseMany are distinguishable by their callsThe GBBG is the largest gull species in the world

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