A Quick Note to Teachers: The following is meant to serve as a basic overview of Georgia salt...
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Transcript of A Quick Note to Teachers: The following is meant to serve as a basic overview of Georgia salt...
A Quick Note to Teachers:• The following is meant to serve as a basic
overview of Georgia salt marshes, impervious surfaces, and remote sensing. It is designed to precede the associated Remote Sensing Lab.
• Remote sensing research photos are proprietary. However, teachers can access and use some of these great images via the links provided in the Notes Section of this PowerPoint.
SALT MARSHPart I
What is an Estuary?
• Estuary: A partially enclosed coastal embayment where fresh water and seawater meet and mix.
What is a Salt Marsh?
• A salt marsh is one component of an estuary system
• Salt Marsh: Communities of emergent vegetation rooted in soils alternately inundated and drained by tidal action.
• One prominent example of this “emergent vegetation” is Spartina alterniflora.
Georgia’s CoastGeorgia’s Coast• Why are there so many salt marshes on
Georgia’s coast?
– Low elevation
– Large tidal range / The Georgia Bight
– Sediments
• Why are there so many salt marshes on Georgia’s coast?
– Low elevation
– Large tidal range / The Georgia Bight
– Sediments
Why are Salt Marshes Important?• Habitat– Nursery habitat for blue crab, sharks, shrimp, fish, etc.– Permanent home for Spartina, fiddler crabs, etc.
• Productivity– Bacteria breaks down wrack into
detritus– This decompositions produces hydrogen
sulfide (the rotten egg smell).
Why are Salt Marshes Important?(Continued)
• Water Quality– Water is filtered through grasses, roots, and soil– Filter feeders (like mussels and oysters) also filter
the water)
• Flood/Erosion Control– Marshes act like giant sponges on the coast,
absorbing water and releasing it slowly.
Why are Salt Marshes Important? (Continued)
• Recreation– Kayaking, fishing, crabbing, boating, birding
• Economy– Fishing industry– Jobs in education, conservation, recreation, etc.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACES & OTHER THREATS
Part II
Coastal Development
• As more people live near the coast, human impact on the marsh increases.– Marine debris– Runoff from parking lots– Rising sea levels
• Humans need a place to live, but salt marshes are an important habitat. How can we balance these needs?
Impervious Surfaces
• Impervious Surfaces: anything that prevents water from soaking into the ground
• Examples: parking lots, paved roads and paths, driveways, rooftops, etc.
Impervious Surfaces(continued)
• Impact on Marsh:– Ground cannot absorb/filter
surface water– Rate of runoff increases– Runoff often ends up in the
marsh
• Common Pollutants in Runoff:– Oil– Heavy Metals– Fertilizer– Human and animal waste
Possible Solutions• Semi-Permeable Trails
• Riparian Buffers
REMOTE SENSINGPart III
Remote Sensing• Remote Sensing: The science of identifying,
observing, and measuring an object without coming into direct contact with it.
• Have you ever used remote sensing?
Common Remote Sensing Strategies
• Aerial photos and satellite images
• Thermal
• Microwave
Why is Remote Sensing Useful in Scientific Research?
• Low impact on the study area
• Can detect and measure some phenomena that are difficult to see with the naked eye
GIS and Google Earth
• GIS: Geographic Information Systems