Salt Marsh Research Paper

I visited the Salt Marsh Nature Center on Saturday April 18 to work on my environmental essay. The Salt Park Marine Center is located on East 33rd Street and Avenue U in Brooklyn, New York. When I arrived at The Salt Marsh Nature Center, I did some research and interviewed a park ranger. The information I received after the interview was very informative. I learned the history of Gerritsen Creek was established during the first half of the 20th century as a recreational and nature refuge for community members to play ball, walk the nature trail and observe the wealth of indigenous plants and wildlife the park has to offer. In addition, I also learned the Salt Marsh Nature Center opened on Earth Day in April 2000 and serves several vital roles in the neighborhood. It is

What is the source of a salt marsh? What is the purpose of a salt marsh? Why is a salt marsh so important for the environment? Salt marshes are grass dominated ecosystems that form where rivers meet the seas. Some develop behind barrier islands and others develop along rivers. Salt marshes support a number of beautiful flowers but they are dominated by grasses that can tolerate being periodically flooded by salty tidal waters. The two most common grasses mark the two main areas of the marsh are cordgrass that grows at lower elevation in the low marsh and is flooded mostly around high tide and salt hay which grows at higher elevation in the high marsh and is flooded only on the largest spring tides of the month. Spring tides are associated with full and new moons. Tidal flooding at the right amount can bring moisture, nutrients, and dissolved oxygen. These help the marsh plants to grow abundant leaves and robust roots. Roots and old leaves form the dark peet which protect the shores and provides homes for abundant wildlife. Some of the animals that frequent salt marshes are ribbed mussels, American black ducks, mummichogs, snowy egrets, great blue herons and sharp tailed