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Sustaining The Nature of New York |
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Cleaner waters Real-time monitoring |
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Deep Urban Nature The latest Buzz? Rooftop Honey A Cooler New York |
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Aquatic Life The many aquatic ecosystems of NYC continue to support a wide range of marine, coastal and freshwater organisms, from microscopic algae and plankton to top-of-the-food-chain predators such as Harbor Seals. In order to better understand NY’s fresh water and marine habitats, teams of scientists are currently conducting biological inventories and real-time environmental monitoring. Generally speaking, the health of the waters around NYC has greatly improved over the past century.
The Hudson River and Estuary are home to many resident fresh water and migratory pelagic fish, including striped bass, sturgeon and American shad, representing a relatively high diversity and endemism compared to other river systems of the globe. [top] Of equal ecological importance to NYC’s water systems are diatoms and numerous macro-invertebrates such as oysters, the later having once formed in NYC some of the largest oyster-beds in the world - a natural heritage the NYNJ Baykeeper is working to restore. [top] Threats to local water systems and their organisms include PCB’s, port infrastructure and boat traffic, increasing impervious cover, combined sewage overflow and development. [top] Ultimately the health of NYC waters can affect inbound migratory marine species, such as the endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle from Mexico and nesting, migratory common terns. [top] The NYC area also hosts numbers of small lakes, ponds, vernal pools and other wetlands, notably tidal marshes, many of which are in alarming decline and subject to restoration. [top]
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Content © 2004 - The City Universtity of New York - 535 East 80th Street, New York, NY 10021 (website)
Pictures © 2004 - Cal Vornberger (website)
