Is it Possible for a Biologically Healthy Estuarine System to be
Sustained while being occupied by an invasive vegetation known as
phragmites? By:Brenda Quito And Cathya Solano By:Brenda Quito And
Cathya Solano Mentor:Dr.Bob Newton Mentor:Dr.Bob Newton Teacher:
Ms.Susan Vincent Teacher: Ms.Susan Vincent Introduction 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 its
neighboring species. 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 its 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. 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.
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. We also studied the invasion
phragmites on spartina. Overall View of the Sites Sparkill Crumkill
THE MARSH (at low tide) Tidal Cycle VOCABULARY 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. 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. 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. 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.... 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 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. 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 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. 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 HABITAT: Place where an animal or
plant normally lives, often characterized by a dominant plant form
or physical characteristic 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????????? 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
marshs ecosystem. 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 marshs ecosystem. EQUIPMENT MINNOW
TRAPS MINNOW TRAPS QUADRAT QUADRAT DEPTHOMETER DEPTHOMETER P B C
pipes P B C pipes JARS JARS ROPES ROPES PINS PINS Y S I Y S I
CANOES CANOES DATA SHEETS DATA SHEETS RULERS RULERS ISOPROPYL
ALCHOHOL ISOPROPYL ALCHOHOL FORMALDIHYDE FORMALDIHYDE DISTILLED
WATER DISTILLED WATER DRY BOX DRY BOX WATER WATER PROCEDURE 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
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. 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. 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 3 rd week we decided to
change things around and retrieve the traps in between tidal cycles
(when the tide was neither low or high) 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 3 rd 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. 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 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. W We are now in the process of
measuring and identifying the samples individually. Analysis So far
we have observed that phragmites has not had a negative effect on
the marshs 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. So far we have observed that phragmites
has not had a negative effect on the marshs 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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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-on- Hudson. The goal is to create a
project that is ongoing and manageable with labor supplied by local
high school students. To begin a year-long time series of water
collections on a transect across the river from Piermont to
Hastings-on- Hudson. The goal is to create a project that is
ongoing and manageable with labor supplied by local high school
students.
Referencestmltmltmltmle.htme.htme.htme.htme/moon.htme/moon.htme/moon.htme/moon.htmergy/Phragmites_australis.html#Descriptionergy/Phragmites_australis.html#Descriptionergy/Phragmites_australis.html#Descriptionergy/Phragmites_australis.html#Description
Acknowledgements Dr. Bob Newton Dr. Bob Newton Ms. Susan Vincent
Ms. Susan Vincent Mr. Andrew Shaw Mr. Andrew Shaw Columbia
University (Lamont Doherty Campus) Columbia University (Lamont
Doherty Campus) Dr. Sat Bhattacharya Dr. Sat Bhattacharya Harlem
Childrens Society Harlem Childrens Society
