Transcript Is it Possible for a Biologically Healthy Estuarine System to be

Is it Possible for a Biologically
Healthy Estuarine System to be
Sustained while being occupied by an
invasive vegetation known as
phragmites?
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By:Brenda Quito And Cathya Solano
Mentor:Dr.Bob Newton
Teacher: Ms.Susan Vincent
Introduction
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We took part of an ongoing
research project that has been
studying the role of phragmites in
the ecosystem and the effect it has
on it’s neighboring species.
There is a controversy on whether
existing phragmites is a healthy
component in the ecosystem or
whether it contributes to landscape
degradation and habitat
deterioration.
Throughout our research we
studied the different types of
stream banks that exist throughout
the marsh and how the formation
of the banks enable them to create
their own habitat.
We also studied the invasion
phragmites on spartina.
Overall View of the Sites
Sparkill
Crumkill
THE MARSH
(at low tide)
Tidal Cycle
VOCABULARY
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SPARTINA:The genus Spartina, commonly known as cordgrass, They form
meadows and grow quickly. Several Spartina species are native to Florida, and most
species are native to the east coasts of North and South America. Spartina has been
planted by humans to reclaim estuarine areas for farming, to supply feed for
livestock, and to prevent erosion. Species range from one to seven feet tall. They
are the native species plant of phragmites.
PHRAGMITES: or common reed, is a wetland plant species. It can grow up to 6
meters high in dense stands and is long-lived. Phragmites is capable of
reproduction by seeds, but primarily does so asexually by means of
rhizomes. Recent research has now shown that native and introduced genotypes of
this species currently exist in North America.
ESTUARY: semi-enclosed coastal body of water which has a free connection with
the open sea and within which sea water mixes with fresh water. The key feature of
an estuary is that it is a mixing place for sea water and a significantly-sized river to
supply fresh water. A tide is a necessary component to maintain a dynamic
relationship between the two waters.
ECOSYSTEM: a functional unit consisting of all the living organisms (plants,
animals, and microbes) in a given area, and all the non-living physical and chemical
factors of their environment, linked together through nutrient cycling and energy
flow. An ecosystem can be of any size-a log, pond, field, forest, or the earth's
biosphere-but it always functions as a whole unit. ...
Sparkill/Phragmites
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In the picture we can observe
spartina, the native specie of
phragmites. This plant is shorter
and thinner. When spartina existed
in the marsh, there was an
abundance of fish and other
species. It was a good thing
because it gave animals more
space to shelter and served as
food supply.
This all changed with the invasion
of phragmities
Phragmites on the other hand, is
tall and thick, giving species
limited space for shelter and food.
This sometimes is not a good thing
because it prevents large amount
of water from entering the marsh.
Vocabulary Continued
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HABITAT: Place where an animal or plant normally lives,
often characterized by a dominant plant form or physical
characteristic
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MARSH: type of wetland, featuring grasses, rushes, reeds,
typhas, sedges, and other herbaceous plants (possibly with
low-growing woody plants) in a context of shallow water. A
marsh is different from a swamp, which is dominated by trees
rather than grasses and low herbs. The water of a marsh can be
fresh, brackish, or saline. Coastal marshes may be associated
with estuaries and along waterways between coastal barrier
islands and the inner coast.
HYPOTHESIS?????????
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We hypothesis that numerous animal species
will inhabit the rivulet side of the marsh during
high tide. We believe that rivulets are used as a
shelter for the species. In this way we believe
phragmites benefits the marsh’s ecosystem.
EQUIPMENT
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MINNOW TRAPS
QUADRAT
DEPTHOMETER
P B C pipes
JARS
ROPES
PINS
YSI
CANOES
DATA SHEETS
RULERS
ISOPROPYL ALCHOHOL
FORMALDIHYDE
DISTILLED WATER
DRY BOX
WATER
PROCEDURE
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We set P B C pipes, as markers to identify our sites, in 4 different sites of the marsh. The sites
were: Crumkill, Tidal Creek, Sparkill, and the Hudson River Channel. In each site there was a
total of 12 minnow traps. 1 for the erosional bank, 1 for the depositional bank, 1 for the
interior of the rivulet and the last for the exterior bank of that same rivulet. We did this for all
4 sites.
We put our traps together and deployed. Each bank had a total of 3 traps placed horizontally
along the marker.
Using the Y S I we measured the salinity of water, its dissolved oxygen, its temperature and
its conductivity. We did this in all the different marked areas within the sites. This was done in
order to characterize the different habitats.
Throughout the first we week of sampling, we retrieved our traps after a period of 4 hours. We
then realized that we were not obtaining data so the following week we decided to retrieve the
traps after a period of 24 hours. On the 3rd week we decided to change things around and
retrieve the traps in between tidal cycles (when the tide was neither low or high)
When retrieving the traps one of us would be preparing the jars containing
FORMALIDIHYDE ( which was diluted from 30%TO 10%) which would eventually numb
and kill the samples. This will at the same time preserve the species.
Procedure Continued
Retrieving Traps
Putting Samples in Jars
Data Sheet
PROCEDURE CONTINUED
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After a period of 24 hours, we washed the samples that we had
retrieved, with water, and then transferred them to Isopropyl
alcohol ( that was diluted from 70% to 50%) where they will
remain for future studies.
We are now in the process of measuring and identifying the
samples individually.
Analysis
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So far we have observed that phragmites has not had a
negative effect on the marsh’s ecosystem. When retrieving our
traps we have found that the animals do come upstream during
high tide and therfore are using the marsh as shelter.
When retrieving our traps we have noticed that we catch a
variety of animals in rivuelets more often than we do in edges.
We have also noticed that the animals use the depositional
banks more often than they use erosional.
We hypothesis that this is happening because as water enters
the stream and erodes the banks, it deposits water and fishes
along the depositional bank.
Future Plans
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Our future goals are to institute a more rigorous study of
marsh biota including core samples, plankton tows and
seine nets, in addition to minnow traps.
We also want to correlate sampling regimes with tidal and
diurnal cycles.
To begin a year-long time series of water collections on a
transect across the river from Piermont to Hastings-onHudson. The goal is to create a project that is ongoing and
manageable with labor supplied by local high school
students.
References
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http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/phraaust.h
tml
http://site.www.umb.edu/conne/leslie/lesliepag
e.htm
http://www.templesanjose.org/JudaismInfo/tim
e/moon.htm
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_ene
rgy/Phragmites_australis.html#Description
Acknowledgements
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Dr. Bob Newton
Ms. Susan Vincent
Mr. Andrew Shaw
Columbia University
(Lamont Doherty
Campus)
Dr. Sat Bhattacharya
Harlem Childrens
Society