Ecological Restoration in Jamaica Bay

www.appliedeco.com

William Young, PWS, CERP bill.young@appliedeco.com

Presentation Outline

• AES General Company Information

• Projects in Jamaica Bay

• Restoration works!

Healy Ave. Norton Basin, Jamaica Bay

Healy Ave Marsh and Dune

East side Jamaica Bay1999-2001 NYS DEC2.25 acres$350,000

In 1995, with Jamaica Bay damages account, NYSDEC purchased 11 acres of maritime shrubland and grassland habitat with fringing wetlands.

In 1999, the Dawson Corp was hired to remove fill off the wetlands, place clean sand and plant low and high marsh 2.25 acres.

Healy Ave is rare in that there was an intact dune habitat that was bolstered by the planting of dune grass (Ammoplilabreviligulata), Beach plum, Bayberry, Shadbush and Virginia rose, in addition to five native grasses.

Yellow rumped warbler at Healy Avenue

marsh

Yellow-rumped warbler

(Setophaga coromata)

at Healy Ave marsh

Four Sparrow Marsh

Brooklyn, NY. Right off Flatbush Ave next to Belt Parkway.

Restoration:1. Get rid of all debris smothering the marsh2. Excavate and remove fill mostly in

Phragmites3. Plant and seed to low and high marsh4. (change order); get rid of 6,000 batteries

discovered on site.

Four Sparrow MarshNorth side Jamaica Bay2002-2004NYC Parks4.5 acres $800,000

>80,000 plugs, removal of huge pile of batteries, and we removed piles of marine debris which buried the marsh.

Four Sparrow Marsh,

acquired by NYC Parks

in 1997, supports 35

acres of low marsh, high

marsh and maritime

shrubland.

These native plant

communities were

degraded by invasive

species, primarily

Mugwort and Common

reed.

Four sparrows:

Seaside sparrow

(Ammodramus maritimus)

which nests exclusively in low

marsh,

Sharp-tailed sparrow (A.

caudacutus), which prefers

high marsh,

Swamp sparrow (Melospiza

georgiana), which inhabits the

wetland-shrub edge,

Song sparrow (M. melodia)

which is found in the upland.

Even Bill knows

Swamp

sparrows have

a rusty cap,

gray breast,

and white

throat.

Mostly grassland/savanna, with species from all the coastal New York ecosystems. No less than 11 native plant communities were researched and soils and species replicated on capped landfill site.

Fountain and Penn combined: 543 acres

Detailed study to Replicate Coastal NY Plant Communities.

11/3/2017 13

Modeling Coastal Ecosystems

11/3/2017 14

Heather

Pine--oak thicket

Design with Nature: Ian McHarg

Modified by Young and Shay, 200611/3/2017 15

Planting tree islands in Sept 2008

The entire capped landfill has 18” of topsoil, as per RCRA regulations. But 14 tree islands have three feet of topsoil. Grasslands on the 18 inch topsoil, trees and shrubs on the 36 inch topsoil islands.

11/3/2017 16

Great southern white on Sea oxeye

Fountain Avenue four years after construction. Is this restoration?

11/3/2017 17

What’s up with the Irrigation? I thought these were native plants

11/3/2017 18

Native plants are not bullet proof, especially in such an artificial environmentas a former landfill.

However, after establishment they are quite self-sustaining.

In all, 19,000 trees and shrubs. Restoration?Significant replacement of invasive species with natives.

Native Woody PlantsCommon Name

Plant GenusButterfly/moth species supported

Oak Quercus 534

Black cherry Prunus 456

Willow Salix 455

Birch Betula 413

Poplar Populus 368

Crabapple Malus 311

Blueberry Vaccinium 288

Maple Acer 285

Elm Ulmus 213

Pine Pinus 203

Hickory Carya 200

Hawthorn Crataegus 159

Spruce Picea 156

Alder Alnus 156

Basswood Tilia 150

Ash Fraxinus 150

Rose Rosa 139

Filbert Corylus 131

Walnut Juglans 130

Beech Fagus 126

Chestnut Castanea 125

N.Y. / Region

New York Today: A ‘Maritime Forest’ Where Sandy’s Waters Rose

New York TodayBy ALEXANDRA S. LEVINE OCT. 27, 2017

Paerdergat- rare grassland habitat

Not for nothin, but the peony don’t help me none.

Nor me!

Paerdegat- 23 acres grassland/scrub shrub habitat

Species NY Natural

Heritage

Rank1

NYS Status Breeding Wintering

Northern Harrier S3 Threatened X X

Upland

Sandpiper

S3 Threatened X

Short-eared Owl S2 Endangered X X

Horned Lark Special Concern X X

Sedge Wren S3 Threatened X

Vesper Sparrow Special Concern X

Grasshopper

Sparrow

S4 Special Concern X

Henslow's

Sparrow

S4 Threatened X

Bobolink S5 not listed* X

Eastern

Meadowlark

S5 not listed* X

Savannah

Sparrow

S5 not listed* X

Footnote 1: Natural Heritage Program Status:

Early successional habitats—rare in NY.

FoodApproximately 74% of the annual diet consists of animal matter and includes mainly beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and occasionally flies, wasps, and spiders (Beal 1926, cited by Gross 1958). Crickets and grasshoppers comprise 26% of the annual diet, and beetles make up 25% of the annual diet. The remainder of the diet consists of vegetable matter, mainly grain and weed seeds. Seeds of smartweed (Polygonum spp.), ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), corn, wheat, rye, and oats are eaten in the winter months when insects are scarce (Gross 1958). Fruits, such as wild cherries (Prunus spp.), strawberries (Fragaria spp.), and blackberries (Rubus spp.),may also constitute a small percentage of the diet.

During adverse winter weather, eastern meadow-larks have been observed to feed on road kills (Hubbard and Hubbard 1969).

Eastern meadowlark

FOOD WEBS

FAT

PROTEIN

?

No doubt plants are the king. Only they can convert sunlight to biomass,Creating food out of abiotic resources. But insects are the next level, transferring that energy to higher levels.

In terms of both number of species and number of individuals, insects are a dominant form of life on Earth. There are somewhere between 800,000 and 1,000,000 insect species known–that’s more than all other animals combined! What’s more, scientists estimate that with those insect species yet to be discovered, there are between 80 and 100 million species of insects sharing the planet with us.

Pollination by a bumblebeeConsidered an Ecosystem service

Common NamePlant Genus

Butterfly/moth species supported

Goldenrod Solidago 115

Asters Aster 112

Sunflower Helianthus 73

Joe pye, Boneset Eupatorium 42

Morning glory Ipomoea 39

Sedges Carex 36

Honeysuckle Lonicera 36

Lupine Lupinus 33

Violets Viola 29

Geraniums Geranium 23

Black-eyed susan Rudbeckia 17

Iris Iris 17

Evening primrose Oenothera 16

Milkweed Asclepias 12

Verbena Verbena 11

Beardtongue Penstemon 8

Phlox Phlox 8

Bee balm Monarda 7

Veronica Veronica 6

Little bluestem Schizachyrium 6

Cardinal flower Lobelia 4

Asters & Fleabanes . Asters are clump forming perennial, bloom late August – October . Fleabanes are annual and biennial, bloom in early June – September . Fleabanes with small white flowers, Aster flowers range white to purple; both with central yellow disks . Both plants tolerate wide range of soil, moisture, and sunlight conditions . High value to pollinators, improve insect diversity and diversify grassland habitat . Benefit ruffed grouse, wild turkey, songbirds, small mammals, eastern cottontail and white-tailed deer

Data in the literature

• indicate that the best habitats are in grasslands with few forbs and that meadowlarks avoid areas where forbs are predominant. It is assumed that optimal conditions will exist when greater than 80% of the herbaceous cover is grass, that suitability will decrease as the relative percent of grass decreases. and that the habitat will not be suitable when less than 20% of the herbaceous cover is grass.

Meadowlark territories in Wisconsin varied in size from 1.2 to 6.1 ha (3 to 15 acres) and were commonly 2.8 to 3.2 ha (7 to 8 acres) (Lanyon 1956). The average size of 15 territories in New York was 2.8 ha (7 acres) (Gross 1958) ..

Pollination

Long horned bee pollinating New York ironweed (Vernonianoveboracensis)

Photo by Naturalist Blaine Rothauseron August 2, 2016

BUILDING STRONG®

Rulers Bar: 92,000 CY, 10 acres

(3 Oct 12)

Jamaica Bay-NY/NJ Harbor Multi-Project Initiative

Ambrose Channel Deepening:

Total 3.6 M CY

Capping NBCDF: 230,000 CY

(June 12)

Black Wall: 150,000 CY, 20 acres

(21 Sept 12)

Yellow Bar: 375,000 CY, 44 acres

(Aug 12)

Plumb Beach: 129,188 CY

(9 Nov 12)

Marsh Island Restoration in Jamaica Bay

Crisis: Jamaica Bay, largest Watershed in NYC: Islands are sinking/degrading

1924

1999

BUILDING STRONG®

Yellow Bar Hassock► Beneficial Use of dredged material (CAP 204)

► Approximately 40 acres at cost of $19,643,547

► Sand placement, grading and planting (Similar to Elders)

► Sand Contract Awarded to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock

► Marsh Builder Contract Awarded to Village Dock, Inc.

• Planting Sub-Contractor was Burke Environmental

Marsh Island Restoration in Jamaica Bay

BUILDING STRONG®

Skid-steer moving 3’ x 3’ x

2’ hummocks with a mini-

excavator digging holes,

and planting the

hummocks.

Marsh Island Restoration in Jamaica Bay

Burke changed up equipment to get more

production out of hummock planting. The

operators got REALLY GOOD at this. Mini

excavator superior to skid steer.

BUILDING STRONG®

Marsh Island Restoration in Jamaica Bay

Evidence that the Lordship Living Shoreline

expansion is working

Dec 2016 Sept 2017

Living Shoreline (Reef Balls) at Stratford Point,

Fairfield, CT

Using Hybrid Attenuation Approach, Living Shorelines can

be placed along almost any coastline. This is protect the

shoreline from erosion and loss.

With permission from Living Shoreline

Solutions, Inc. Dade City, FL

Whooo has

questions?

A system driven by science!!!

Estuarine Wetlands -Coastal NY/NJ Salt Marshes

Young Environmental, LLC

IF YOU BUILD IT….

February 2009 All you have to do is ASC

Usually size of animal correlates

to home range and area needed.

Which animal is the most adaptable? Least?

Rulers Bar: 92,000 CY, 10 acres

(3 Oct 12)

Jamaica Bay-NY/NJ Harbor Multi-Project Initiative

Ambrose Channel Deepening:

Total 3.6 M CY Dredged material

finds beneficial use restoring

islands.

Capping NBCDF: 230,000 CY

(June 12)

Black Wall: 150,000 CY, 20 acres

(21 Sept 12)

Yellow Bar: 375,000 CY, 44 acres

(Aug 12)

Plumb Beach: 129,188 CY

(9 Nov 12)

Marsh Island Restoration in Jamaica Bay

SWS 2017 60

Bill Young, with volunteers at

supplemental planting at

Stratford Point Living

Shoreline, May 2015. Data is

being collected showing

significant accretion of sand and

sediment on the beach side of

the reef.

Jamaica Bay has Pilot Projects

50,000 OYSTERS BEING INSTALLED IN JAMAICA BAY TO HELP IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AND PROTECT WETLANDS

Significant marine engineering goes into Reef Ball design.

Urban Wild Space Wildlife Land Management

Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Albany, NY• surrounded by industrial

and high-density residential development

• Globally rare ecosystem (inland pine barrens)

• Federally-Endangered Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis)

• Multiple other rare species

Savanna Wetlands & Streams

Results

Dunes and Dry Prairies

Goals Measured by Faunal Metrics

Oxford Wetland Mitigation Bank

74 acre former sod farmDesigned and permitted: Environmental Connection/Young EnvironmentalConstruction: 2016-7 The Dawson Corporation

Lepidoptera tell a story

“Better stewardship of the land could have a bigger role in fighting climate change than previously thought,” the international team of scientists said of findings published in the US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The estimates for nature’s potential, led by planting forests, were up to 30% higher than those envisaged by a UN panel of climate scientists in a 2014 report, it said.

The Guardian Oct 17,2017

Page | 71

Hydrology and wildlife return to formerly degraded site.

Mitigation Expertise

Seneca Meadows Wetland Preserve Video

NYSDEC independent study showed AES mitigation sites have HIGHEST success rate in the state

Wild land and open space have great value. NYC water—best in country

Resilience?

Physical/Hydrological FunctionsGroundwater Recharge/Discharge

Biogeochemical Functions Water Quality

Wetlands trap, retain and

process pollutants in flooded

soil - “kidneys of the

landscape”

Retention of pathogens and

nutrients(nitrates, phosphates)

pesticides, and metals.

Protect drinking water

suppliesWetlands are

natures’s kidneys

Environmental Connection, LLC

www.envconnection.net

Biogeochemical Functions

Sediment trapping

Biological Functions Habitats/Biodiversity

Environmental Connection, LLC

www.envconnection.net

Biogeochemical Functions Atmospheric Equilibrium

If you build it they WILL come

Ecology: “Oikos”

Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) Method

Developed by Army Corps of Engineers

• Uses reference wetlands (e.g., natural in region of

interest)

• Evaluates set of wetland functions through field

assessment

• Functional capacity index (FCI) – 0-1, 1 equals

function at same level as reference wetland. FCI X

acres of habitat assessed = FCUs

Evaluation of Planned Wetlands (EPW)

Developed by Environmental Concern

• Similar to HGM but sleeker and easier to

use. Uses reference wetlands (e.g., natural in

region of interest) Evaluates limited set of

wetland functions through field assessment.

• Functional capacity index (FCI) – 0-1, 1

equals function at same level as reference

wetland. FCI X acres of habitat assessed =

FCUs

Evaluation of Planned Wetlands (EPW)

Here are the parameters for conducting the EPW:

• Shoreline Bank Erosion Control: Capacity to

provide erosion control and to dissipate erosive

forces at the shoreline bank

• Sediment Stabilization: Capacity to stabilize and

retain previously deposited sediments

• Water Quality: Capacity to retain and process

dissolved or particulate materials to the benefit of

downstream surface water quality

Evaluation of Planned Wetlands (EPW)

Wildlife: Degree to which a wetland functions

as habitat for wildlife as described by habitat

complexity.

Fish: The food/cover, reproductive, and water

quality requirements for fish.

Uniqueness/Heritage: Presence of

characteristics that distinguish a wetland as

unique, rare or valuable.

Project Status•From degraded to:

•Diverse Dynamic Productive Stingy

Using functional analysis

Insects: A foundation of the food web

BUILDING STRONG®

Molt of HS Crab Found on

Yellow Bar Hassock, July 2012. 3,905 nests. Perhaps 200 eggs per nest. Accounting for

losses, say, 160,000 new crabs. Not too shabby!

Marsh Island Restoration in Jamaica Bay

11/3/2017

Tidal Wetland

BEFORE

AFTER

95

Salt marshes are unique and highly productive ecosystemsthat provide a range of valuable services (MEA 2005; Barbieret al. 2011). The importance of these intertidal grasslands tofish and wildlife populations is well documented; in particular,they serve as nursery and feeding areas for many economicallyand ecologically important fishery species (Dionne et al.1999; Deegan et al. 2000; Minello et al. 2003) and as criticalbreeding, migration, or wintering habitat for variety of birdspecies (Greenberg et al. 2006; Shriver and Greenberg 2012).Marsh vegetation also filters sediments, nutrients, and otherpollutants from upland drainage and helps buffer shorelinesfrom erosion by waves and currents, and marsh sedimentshave a high capacity for long-term carbon sequestration(Mcleod et al. 2011).

Samanek(invasives.org)

Number of herbivore species supported

Non-native plant species Homeland Novel

Years since

introduction

Phragmites austrlis 170 5 >300

Eucalptus stelloleta 48 1 100

Opuntia ficus-indica 16 0 250

Clematis vitalba 40 1 100

Melaleuca quinquenervia 406 8 120

D. Tallamy

Will evolution be the solution?

Regal Fritillary Butterfly(Speyaria idalia)

• Endemic to tallgrass and mixed grass prairies

– Larvae feed on only violets in spring

– Adults feed on prairie plants, preferring nectar of milkweeds (and thistles)

– Female adults lay eggs on violets

Lots of insects in the soil

UNDO

Carlina carline 0 0

Carthamus distaff thistle 0 1

Carum caroway 0 1

Catapodium 0 0

Caucalis burr parsley 0 0

Centaurium centaury 0 0

Centipeda centipeda 0 0

Ceratocephala

curveseed

butterwort 0 0

Chaenorhinum dwarf snapdragon 0 0

Chaiturus lion's tail 0 0

Chamaemelum dogfennel 0 0

Chelidonium celandine 0 0

Chondrilla chondrilla 0 0

Chorispora crossflower 0 1

Chrozophora chrozophora 0 0

Cicer chick pea 1 0Cichorium endive, chickory 0 9Citrullus watermelon 1 11

Cnicus cnicus 0 0

Coincya star-mustard 0 0

Coix Job's tears 0 0

Colchicum colchicum 0 0Colocasia coco yam 0 2

Conium poison hemlock 0 2Conringia hare's ear mustard 0 2

Consolida knight's spur 0 1

Convolvulus bindweed, morning

glory 2 7

Corchorus

jute, tridens

corchorus 1 0

Coriandrum coriander 0 0

Coronopus swinecress 0 0

Corrigiola corrigiola 0 0

Cortaderia pampas grass 0 0

Corynephorus clubawn grass 0 0

Crepis hawksbeard 0 2

Genus Common alien lep native lepDactylis

orchard grass 1 20

Dactyloctenium Egyptian grass,

crowfoot grass 0 1Dahlia dahlia 2 13

Daphne daphne 0 0

Dasypyrum mosquitograss 0 0Dianthus pinks, carnations 2 8

Dictamnus gas plant 0 2

Digera 0 0

Digitalis foxglove 0 3

Dinebra viper grass 0 0Diplotaxis wallrocket 0 1Dipsacus teasel 0 1Disporum fairy bells, mandarin 1 0

Dittrichia dittrichia 0 0

Duchesnea duchesnea 0 0

Ecballium squirting cucumber 0 0

Echinops globethistle 0 0

Egeria egeria 0 0

Eichhornia water hyacinth 0 0Eleusine indian goosegrass 0 0

Eleutherococcus ginseng 0 0

Elsholtzia elsholtzia 0 0

Emex threecornerjack 0 0

Epipactis helleborine 0 0

Eremopyrum False wheatgrass 0 0Erica heath, heather 2 2Erodium heron's bill, erodium,

stork's bill 0 3Eruca* arugula, saladrocket,

rocketsalad 0 1

Erucastrum dogmustard 0 0

Euphrasia eyebright 0 0

Facelis trampweed 0 0

Fagopyrum buckwheat 0 8

Falcaria falcaria 0 0

Fatoua fatoua 0 0

Filago cottonrose 0 0

Foeniculum sweet fennel, fennell 0 1

Fumaria fumitory 0 0

Galanthus snowdrop 0 0

Galega professor-weed 0 0

Guess what? The most “useful” exotic plants to insects are the ones closely related. The insects at least can recognize/utilize them. Asters, Willow, Solidagos, Juncus, Quercus, Fagus, Asclepias, Bidens

Native species: 406 species of herbivoresNon-native species: 8 species of herbivores