I came across the Spring 2015 issue of Sound Update focuses on the topics that were discussed at the 2014 Long Island Sound Tidal Wetlands Loss Workshop on October 22-23, 2014 in Port Jefferson, NY.
The articles summarize the following workshops and related research on:
- Topic 1: Wetland Submergence
- Topic 2: Ecological Indicators of Wetland Change
- Topic 3: Wetland Elevation Changes
- Topic 4: Marsh Migration
- Topic 5: Tidal Wetlands Trends and Conditions Assessment
Submergence is the gradual conversion of tall smooth cordgrass in the low marsh to mudflat. In coastal Connecticut and Long Island, the low marsh zone consisting largely of Spartina alterniflora, has been converting to mudflats over the last 30 years in many areas. There have been many proposed explanations, including climate change, the effects of excessive nitrogen curtailing root growth which in turn weakens the structure that keep the muck and peat bound together.
Also discussed is Sudden vegetation dieback (SVD) also found in the low marsh area, and identified by the loss of vegetation over a number of years with limited regrowth, likely the result of multiple stressors including the purple marsh crab.
The newsletter is a great introduction to the wetland science and challenges faced by wetlands in the Long Island Sound.