Shoreline Changes in Jamaica Bay, Gateway National Recreation Area, 1924–2006: Implications for Shoreline Restoration
Boger R, Essrog J, Christiano M. 2013. Shoreline Changes in Jamaica Bay, Gateway National Recreation Area, 1924–2006: Implications for Shoreline Restoration. Park Science. 30(2):69-75
Historical analysis of the Jamaica Bay shoreline provides a long-term perspective of changes that can assist managers in targeting areas to be restored. Using aerial photos taken in 1924 and 2006, an analysis of shoreline changes over the past 82 years was conducted within Jamaica Bay, an urban estuary associated with Gateway National Recreation Area, located in the New York City metropolitan area. We applied a 15-category land cover/land use classification scheme of the shoreline. The analysis provides a long-term perspective of how the shoreline has changed in this highly urbanized locality before and after Gateway became a national recreation area in 1972. Gateway has been successful in minimizing changes to the shoreline when compared with nonpark areas. Further, park managers can use this shoreline inventory to identify sections of shoreline that may be appropriate for restoration by allowing former protective structures to deteriorate or by removing them, thereby enhancing the ability of shoreline habitats to migrate landward with sea-level rise.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Boger, Rebecca; Essrog, Joseph; Christiano, Mark
- Units
- GATE , NRSS
- Keywords
- land cover/land use changes, national park–college partnerships, Shoreline, urban estuary