SHORELINE EROSION, BIODIVERSITY LOSS, AND SALT MARSH DEPLETION IN JAMAICA BAY, NY AFTER HURRICANE SANDY

Jamaica Bay, New York consists of several areas in Brooklyn and Queens. This Gateway National Recreation Area is comprised of beaches, forests, and marshes. In 2012, Superstorm Sandy severely damaged the bay and presently, much of the bay remains damaged; through analysis of collected data, noticeable amounts of shoreline erosion, salt marsh depletion and loss of biodiversity have been observed. The loss of biodiversity in the area can be seen by the steady decline in Spartina Alterniflora, a form of vegetation that exists throughout the entire bay. The abundance of mud snails, which are considered to be bio-indicators of eutrophication, has also diminished. These trends have increased over the past decade but were exacerbated by Superstorm Sandy. By mapping areas with various levels of shoreline erosion, salt marsh depletion, and decline in indicator species before and after Superstorm Sandy, this project identifies the degree to which different areas were damaged by the storm. By understanding how these variables intersect, restoration efforts can be dedicated to the areas that remain the most vulnerable.