Monitoring OUR PROGRESSHorseshoe Crab Tagging & Surveys
Starting in 2013, we began monitoring horseshoe crabs on the newly restored beaches along the Delaware Bay. This process utilizes volunteers to tag horseshoe crabs and conduct resighting surveys. By increasing monitoring efforts we will be able to:
You can get involved with the horseshoe crab tagging program by the "Get Involved" page on this site or through the dedicated program web site www.HorseshoeCrabTagging.org where you can also find more information about the program. During the physical restoration work we will be monitoring several aspects of the project such as appropriate sand grain size and proper grading of the sand. After the work is completed we will be tracking the movement of sand along the bay beaches and the effects on wildlife by monitoring horseshoe crab usage and breeding success and migratory shorebird usage.
Sand Movement Study
The sand movement study is a New Jersey bay-wide study of geologic, hydrologic and climatic influences on the formation of sandy beach habitat with emphasis on locating beaches that feed sand to other beaches. There is little understanding of sand transport patterns in the Delaware Bay but in order to ensure ongoing sustainability of restored sites we need this knowledge. Our ultimate goal is to identify “feeder beaches” where sand can be placed and allowed to move to other beaches via natural sediment transport pathways. In cooperation with Stockton University Coastal Research Center and USGS, for each beach restoration project, we will gather data on waves, tides, currents and sedimentary characteristics to arrive at estimates of entrainment and longshore sediment transport potential at the target restoration sites and to aid in the decision on restoration design (geometry, timing and sedimentary characteristics) and need for structure alteration or removal. These site-specific measurements will allow us to develop decision-support tools to aid in the identification of optimal locations in the bay for fill placement to enhance habitat and to assess the importance of subsequent modification to increase resilience. |