Hudson River Reserve, New York

Research

Research efforts are focused on generating the information necessary for management and protection of the estuary.

The reserve provides a wealth of opportunities for comparative, descriptive and quantitative studies of ecological patterns and processes due to the following physical and chemical characteristics of the Hudson River estuary: (1) freshwater to brackish conditions exist along the Hudson River estuary, (2) a gradient of generally increasing urban development exists along the Hudson River from north to south, (3) hydrological exchange studies can be conducted between the marshes and the Hudson River through restricted openings in railroad embankments and (4) natural and anthropogenic tracers can be used to describe the movement of particles through the system.

Research support is provided through three fellowship programs co-sponsored by the reserve, which provides financial support for graduate and undergraduate students to conduct research in the reserve sites. These fellowships have generated well over 100 student research projects in the past 20 years.

Much of the reserve-sponsored research is centered on better understanding the aquatic habitats of the Hudson River estuary. Current ongoing projects include the: (1) inventory and ecological assessment of submerged plant beds, (2) mapping and assessment of the benthic habitats of the Hudson River estuary and (3) ecological functional assessment of freshwater tidal wetlands. Research that will increase our understanding of functional gains in aquatic habitat restoration is also critical. In this regard, the reserve is investigating the ecological response of tidal marshes to the removal of common reed (Phragmites australis) and the ecological implications of removing tributary dams and/or installing fish passageways.

In addition to the NERRS System-wide Monitoring Program, a long-term environmental monitoring program is being carried out to support both research and management at the reserve. Surface water quality, atmospheric conditions and marsh plant communities have been monitored on a regular basis since 1991. Changes detected over this time period have been used to direct research and guide management decisions.

Sediment Waves on the Hudson River Bottom (PDF)