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 MARSH Part 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 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 SENSING Part 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