Galveston Bay Ecosystems & Issues

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1 An overview of Galveston Bay Ecosystems & given by Issues Jim Dobberstine The Galveston Bay Foundation Photo courtesy of Bob Moore, Galveston

2 Galveston Bay Background Largest/most productive estuarine system in Texas 30% of Texas commercial and recreational fishing income is generated from Galveston Bay Dense development along shoreline Houston (5 Counties): 3.9 million total, 20% live within 2 miles of the estuary Watershed extends to Dallas/Ft.Worth Some studies indicate negative effects from anthropogenic sources; declining water and sediment quality, species diversity, biologic productivity

3 Galveston Bay Estuary Features 660 square miles of water; 232 miles of shoreline 22 major tributary systems (Trinity & San Jacinto Rivers) w/ multiple sub-watersheds 33,000 square mile watershed w extends to Dallas/Ft.Worth Wind-driven driven circulation Sub-baysbays Map taken from Natural Outlook Fall TCEQ

4 What makes it an estuary? Freshwater inflows Tidal inflows Saltwater & freshwater mixing zone and salinity gradient Important structural elements: wetlands, seagrass, shallows

5 What s a wetland Transition zone Type determined by hydrology Anerobic hydric soils Specially adapted plants, frequently with hollow stems High primary production (algae, benthic organisms, etc.)

6 Photos: Jim Dobberstine

7 Why are these features important? Recreational Opportunities: Bay related tourism strengthens local economies & is attractive to prospective residents Economic Impacts from Trade and Industry: Geographic and transportation advantages allow Port of Houston, shipping, and industry i to thrive; recreational & commercial fishing revenues largest in the e state Eco-Tourism: Coastal plain wetlands are home to many different kinds of animals including popular migratory birds; tourism exceeded eded $3.9 billion for 4 bay-side counties (1992) Pollution: Bay naturally assimilates man-made made wastes Responsible stewardship: Many areas are on the transcontinental flyway, and are critical habitat to native and migratory wildlife, endangered & threatened species, etc. Photo courtesy of USFWS

8 Concerns and Issues Habitat loss associated with: Wetland conversion to uplands Erosion and subsidence: relative sea-level rise Nursery loss due to hardened shorelines Seagrass bed loss due to increasing turbidity and subsidence Water in the balance: freshwater inflows to the estuary

9 Wetland conversion to uplands Frequently the result of residential and other non- water-dependent development of wetlands and waterways Along the Texas coast, wetland losses have been highest in the Galveston Bay system, primarily attributed to urban and suburban sprawl & invasive species Impacts highest to palustrine (fresh water) wetlands These wetlands are among the most important for pollutant attenuation and flood retention

10 Graphic courtesy of John Jacob, Texas Coastal Watershed Program Wetland losses between 1990 and Concentrated in northwest Harris county Primarily forested, riparian forest Important water quality, flood retention, and habitat values that are not replicated elsewhere in the system

11 Habitat conversion: riparian forested wetland Graphic courtesy of John Jacob, Texas Coastal Watershed Program

12 Habitat conversion: riparian forested wetland Graphic courtesy of John Jacob, Texas Coastal Watershed Program

13 Erosion, subsidence, & relative sea level rise

14 Evidence of subsidence: fence remaining from when the land was previously grazed

15 Degrees of erosion in marshes None Little to moderate High

16 Seagrass beds Two types common to GB: Wigeongrass (Ruppia maritima) : low salinity Shoalgrass (Halodule wrightii) : higher salinity Also: turtlegrass (Thalassia testudinum) Require shallow, clear, nutrient moderated water Very important habitat for many commercial & recreational species of fish, shrimp, & crab

17 Causes of Seagrass Loss in Galveston Bay Subsidence Urban shoreline development Dredging Wastewater discharge Storms Boat traffic

18 Habitat Restoration Program Habitat Restoration identified as number one goal in Galveston Bay National Estuary Program Galveston Bay Plan Restoration program goal is to address loss of over 35,000 acres of wetland habitat since the 1950 s in the Galveston Bay system GBF has a stated goal of preserving/ restoring 24,000 acres of wetland habitat by 2010 through national partnership with Restore America s Estuaries RAE goal is to restore 1,000,000 acres nationwide by 2010

19 GBF Habitat Restoration Actively restoring habitat since 1991 Diverse habitat types: wetland, sea grass, & reef Working directly with local citizens for community based habitat restoration Volunteer-based: Marsh Mania planting events

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21 Recent Restoration Projects restoration of Dickinson Bay Restoration of historical island to provide inter-tidal tidal marsh benefiting fish, shrimp, and crab and to provide roosting and nesting habitat for colonial water birds 2004 restoration of Jumbile Cove Two project phases created 90+ habitat mounds; 60 total acres of habitat restored and enhanced, two bird nesting islands created, and geo-textile tube breakwater installed restoration of Delehide Cove 55 acres of habitat restored and enhanced, 8,100 linear feet of geo- textile tube breakwater installed, and 200 acres of estuarine marsh m habitat protected by the tube. All three projects were planted as part of GBF s Community- Based Marsh Mania Planting events

22 Pierce Marsh

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24 Delahide Cove

25 Starvation Cove

26 Geotextile Tube

27 Jumbile Cove

28 Habitat Restoration: Landowner Initiative Living Shorelines Eilers & Hughes Property O'Donnell Property Moore Property

29 Habitat Restoration: Landowner Initiative Cooperative agreement with the USFWS applying grant funds to restore & conserve habitat on private lands Cost sharing with private landowners Goal often to accomplish multiple objectives

30 Habitat Restoration: Landowner Initiative Alonso property: Galveston Island Photos: Jim Dobberstine

31 Habitat Restoration: Landowner Initiative Asher property: Dickinson Bayou Photos courtesy of Jim Dobberstine and Maggie Asher

32 Photo: Jim Dobberstine

33 Habitat Restoration: Invasive Species Non-native, native, exotic, or alien species = species from someplace else (Brazilian pepper is from Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil) Invasive, noxious, aggressive, nuisance, or pest species = species that negatively affect the native plants and animals of the new ecosystem

34 Invasive Characteristics Rapid growth rate Early maturity Large quantities of fruits/seeds High seed viability Effective seed dispersal Dense shade/dense root mass

35 Texas Noxious Plant List 4 TAC Effective January 6, 2005 The Brazilian pepper tree is one of 29 plant species considered to have serious potential to cause economic or ecological harm to the state. Unless permitted by the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife Code or by the Texas Department of Agriculture, a person commits an offense under the Texas Agriculture Code, , if the person sells, distributes or imports into the state the plants listed [in the Noxious Plant List] in any live form.

36 Invasive species: Galveston Bay Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera) Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) Deep-rooted sedge (Cyperus entrerianus) Nutria (Myocastor( coypus) Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella

37 Invasive species Sweetwater Located on Galveston Island 458 acre property several types of habitat: Mud and sand flats Fresh, brackish, and salt marsh Freshwater swales and wet prairie Actively removing Brazilian Pepper Tree and Salt Cedar from our property and the neighborhood GBF exploring idea of bringing public to Sweetwater by creating interpretive trails and birding tower

38 Monitoring and Research Important for: Determining baseline conditions (!) Determining success of restoration projects Monitoring invasive species spread/impacts Understanding how to better target habitat conservation and restoration efforts

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41 Advocacy Program Wetland Permit Review Committee Reviews Corps of Engineers CWA 404 permit applications that may impact Galveston Bay Comprised of volunteers with a variety of professional backgrounds and from communities throughout the Bay system Provides comments on project impacts, alternatives analysis, mitigation requirements, and overall design. Developing a public database to track permits and projects to provide a big picture of development trends & activities around Galveston Bay

42 Contacts The Galveston Bay Foundation Jim Dobberstine (281) The Galveston Bay Estuary Program Scott Jones (281) gbep.state..state.tx.us