Summer 2004 TheThe VirginiaVirginia Vol. 19, No. 2 WetlandsWetlands ReportReport

Preserving The Bay’s Living Shorelines A Growing Grass-roots Effort By Tom Barnard

he shores of the Chesapeake Bay, particular, the complex interrelated na- tions between the upland riparian envi- T and in particular the myriad of ture of the upland and aquatic systems. ronments (e.g. the forested buffer) and smaller creeks and guts that run inland However, the “armoring” of the shore- the marshes, tidal flats and shallow off its four major rivers, have for thou- line against erosion, with the accompa- water habitat. This, in turn, can lead to sands of years been buffered and pro- nying loss of most of the living aspects the drowning of wetlands as sea tected from the forces of erosion by of the shoreline, continues at an ex- level rises and the marsh can not move communities of salt tolerant landward (up slope) or trap sedi- grasses, sedges and shrubs, collec- ments running off the land, to com- tively called tidal marshes. At the pensate for the rising water levels. same time, these natural communi- The eventual result is that the ties have served important ecologi- marsh is drowned and lost from the cal functions, as nurseries, habitat system. There are alternative ap- and primary food source for valu- proaches available which utilize able bay fauna such as fishes and “softer” more natural shoreline blue crabs. They also serve to filter treatments or incorporate aspects sediments and other pollutants of the living landscape while mini- running off the adjacent uplands. mizing engineered, structural ero- With the development of the sion control. bay watershed over time, land use Many shorefront landowners has changed and forested upland are unaware of these techniques buffers have been replaced by and would prefer a natural shore- farms, housing developments, in- Erosion control using low profile rock riprap line to hardened shorelines such as dustries, marinas and other forms of with planted marsh. stone revetments or bulkheads. economic growth. Growth has Private waterfront property owners changed the bay landscape and led to tremely high rate. In 2002 and 2003, the collectively control the majority of significant loss of living resources over Commonwealth of Virginia permitted Maryland and Virginia’s shoreline and time, including non-tidal wetlands and construction of shoreline erosion con- thus, represent a significant opportu- tidal fringing marshes. Unfortunately, trol structures along 14.4 and 17.7 miles nity to improve the water quality and these anthropogenic losses have oc- of bay shoreline, respectively. These habitat of the Chesapeake and Coastal curred concurrently with sea level rise numbers alone are alarming but VIMS’ Bays. For this reason, a Living Shore- which has served not only to increase data further indicate that over the last lines Stewardship Initiative (LSSI) has natural shoreline erosion rates and ten years, Virginia has permitted the been set in motion. marsh loss but also lead to accelerated “hardening” of an average 18.5 miles of Originally begun in Maryland with attempts by homeowners to protect shoreline per year (VIMS Shoreline funding from The Keith Campbell their upland and thus further exacerbate Permit Data Base). Foundation for the Environment, the shoreline marsh losses. Much of this shoreline loss is un- initiative has grown into a bi-state, Only relatively recently have scien- necessary or structurally over-designed multi-agency collaborative effort in- tists demonstrated many of the ecologi- for the level of erosion involved. Purely volving the states of Maryland and cal functions performed by these structural approaches tend to cut off Virginia. Funding now is also being natural shoreline communities and, in the connections and natural interac- provided by the Maryland Department

VWR — 1 of Natural Resources and the Chesa- goal include: using science to drive ! Physical integrity of original design peake Bay Trust. Supporting the initia- appropriate types of, and locations for including configuration and place- tive presently are Anne Arundel “living shorelines” treatments; and ment of original materials. County, several federal agencies, inde- facilitating the institutionalization of ! Changes in elevations and slope of pendent contractors, university re- living shoreline approaches through fill containment area, displacement of search groups and non-governmental contractors and shoreline management structural features (stone groins, environmental organizations. The over- policy makers. The ultimate desired sills, breakwaters etc.). all goal of the Living Shorelines Stew- outcome is to have: “Maryland and ardship Initiative is to improve water Virginia shorefront property owners ! Changes in shoreline profile quality and enhance habitat for living routinely consider and frequently nearshore, shore zone, bank erosion resources in the Chesapeake Bay choose living shoreline alternatives as or deposition on-site, updrift & through the shoreline management their preferred shoreline management downdrift areas. efforts of individual waterfront property treatment.” ! Design features in relationship to owners. Key strategies to reaching the These “softer” more natural shore- wave climate, reach characteristics, line treatments involve the use of marsh shore type and substrate composi- The Virginia Wetlands Report is a reestablishment, beach nourishment tion. quarterly publication of the Wetlands and low profile rock structures com- Program at the Virginia Institute of ! Variations in treatment type designs, bined with biotic elements such as Marine Science of the College of maintenance & other factors affect- marsh toe protection and shallow water William and Mary. Subscriptions are ing results. sills as well as the use of properly em- available without charge upon written ployed organic materials such as fiber request to: Wetlands Program, Virginia Biological Effectiveness Factors: logs. Besides attenuating shoreline Institute of Marine Science, P.O. Box erosion, these treatments facilitate ! Emergent wetland plant community 1346, Gloucester Pt, VA 23062 USA. natural coastal functions and processes characteristics species composition Address corrections requested. such as nutrient recycling, sand and (tide-range variable), width of marsh, Program Director: sediment deposition, the movement of percent cover, plant height. detritus within the littoral zone and the Dr. Carl Hershner ! SAV historical presence, species, Head, Wetlands Advisory Program: protection of the natural shoreline habi- percent cover, canopy height, flower- Thomas A. Barnard, Jr. tat. These treatments may not be appro- ing, maximum depth of distribution. Produced by: priate for all shorelines, high energy ! Associated fauna use of the site by VIMS Publication Center beaches for example, but where they can be utilized, the discerning property birds, reptiles, invertebrates etc. In this Issue: owner may benefit from reduced costs, ! Habitat suitability water quality (dis- Preserving the Bay’s creating or maintaining habitat and solved inorganic nitrogen and phos- Living Shoreline ...... 1 conditions that contribute to maintain- phorus), epiphytic loading. Celebrating a Wetland Wildflower ing and restoring water quality along Seashore Mallow with important Chesapeake Bay habi- The Virginia Institute of Marine Kosteletzkya virginica ...... 3 tats. Science (VIMS) has been funded by the Snakehead Invades The University of Maryland Center Keith Campbell Foundation for the Potomac River ...... 4 for Environmental Studies (UMCES) Environment to conduct field surveys Dunkin ...... 5 Horn Pt. Lab has received funding from in Virginia focusing on the effective- New and Interesting Web Sites...... 6 Maryland Department of Natural Re- ness of existing low profile marsh toe Calendar of Upcoming Events ...... 6 sources and the Chesapeake Bay Trust protection structures identified through to conduct a detailed field assessment their Tidal Shoreline Permit Data Base. This report was funded, in part, by the and documentation of 8 shoreline ero- Virginia Institute of Marine Science The assessment team will use many of and by the Virginia Coastal Re- sion control projects in Maryland the same criteria, listed above, to de- sources Management Program of which incorporate marsh creation or velop a site-specific profile of each the Department of Environmen- protection as a key element of the de- marsh toe structure and photographic tal Quality through Grant sign. The team, which will also include #NA03NOS4190104 - Task #11 of the Na- exhibits that will be used to produce tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- experts from Virginia and Maryland presentation materials for a spring 2005 tion, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources funded by the Campbell Foundation, workshop. The workshop will be spon- Management, under the will evaluate a variety of factors that sored by the National Estuarine Re- Coastal Zone Management may vary from site to site. Factors to be Act, as amended. search Reserve System and the Center assessed may include: for Coastal Resources Management at The views expressed herein are those of the VIMS and should be of interest to ma- authors and do not necessarily reflect the Physical Effectiveness Assessment views of NOAA or any of its subagencies or rine contractors, waterfront property DEQ. Factors: owners, environmental consultants, Printed on recycled paper ! Shoreline wave exposure/fetch. Continued on page 5

2 — VWR Celebrating a Wetland Wildflower Seashore Mallow Kosteletzkya virginica Virginia’s Wildflower of the Year - 2004 By Karen Duhring

he Virginia Native Plant Society are a vivid contrast to the sea of green T (VNPS) has declared the seashore in the summer marsh formed by grasses, mallow Kosteletzkya virginica to be rushes and sedges. Descriptive terms Virginia’s Wildflower of the Year for like hot pink, bright pink, and rosy pink 2004. The Virginia Native Plant Society parade are used to portray the visual advocates community understanding effect of seashore mallow blooming in a and appreciation for native plants and salt marsh. natural habitats. Members of the orga- Hibiscus moscheutos, sometimes nization can nominate any non-inva- called marsh hibiscus or rose mallow, is sive, native plant each year. According another coastal mallow that grows in to their web site, the Wildflower of the similar habitats and blooms at the same Year should ideally tie into the VNPS time as Kosteletzkya virginica. Sea- emphasis on habitat. Each winner also shore mallow can be distinguished from has unique characteristics that interest Hibiscus mainly by the size of the people, such as attractive color, abun- leaves and flowers. The flowers and dance, rarity or other feature. general habit of Hibiscus moscheutos The 2004 winner, seashore mallow are noticeably larger. Kosteletzkya virginica, certainly fits the qualifying criteria perfectly. The Ecological Interest award announcement accurately de- While people derive visual pleasure, scribes it as a “common summer high- seashore mallow also serves its own light of the marshes in the Tidewater purpose as a member of a functioning region…”, “…identifiable even from a marsh community. Its value as a food speeding car” and it “brightens the way source for wildlife is limited, but as an of all who dare to slog through the herbaceous perennial it contributes to muck of the marshes.” Another natural were originally discovered here or they the overall species diversity and pri- history summary described seashore mainly occur in the Mid-Atlantic re- mary productivity of the marsh. It also mallow and other mallows as “a real gion. Seashore mallow also occurs on participates in valuable water quality showcase” of the marsh. the outer coastal plain from Long Is- functions through sediment trapping, Also known as Virginia salt-marsh land to the Gulf of Mexico. uptake and storage of nutrients, as well mallow, seaside mallow, marsh mallow, as reducing the flow rate and energy of and pink mallow, seashore mallow is Botanical Interest stormwater runoff and floodwaters. found in brackish wetlands, salt- Kosteletzkya virginica is a member marshes, ditch banks and tidal riparian of the cotton family, Malvaceae, which Horticulture areas. No matter what interchangeable includes more than 1,000 species. The Even though it grows naturally in names are used, this pink wildflower is original source of paste used to make brackish marshes, it is possible to indeed a recognizable symbol for this the confection “marshmallow” came propagate and grow seashore mallow in important coastal habitat. from the root of another member of this the home garden. This plant needs full Seashore mallow shares a unique family, the European marsh mallow sun and rich, fertile soil with lots of distinction with four other previous Althaea officinalis. This wetland organic matter. The soil should be kept Wildflower of the Year winners - Hama- namesake is no longer an ingredient in evenly moist. It is highly suitable for melis virginiana (witch hazel - 2002), modern marshmallow treats. rain and water gardens, creek and pond Chionanthus virginicus (fringe tree- Seashore mallow is an herbaceous edges and other shorelines. As a 1997), Claytonia virginica (spring perennial. It disappears below ground coastal plant, it is also tolerant of wind beauty-1990) and Mertensia virginica in the fall then appears in late spring blown and soil borne salt. (Virginia bluebells-1989). The Latin and grows 3-5 feet high. Dainty flow- The Virginia Native Plant Society names for these wildflowers include a ers 2-3 inches long are visible from July suggests mixing seashore mallow with through September. The pink blooms derivation of “Virginia” because they Continued on page 6

VWR — 3 Snakehead Invades Potomac River aving already established a repro- caught in Little Hunting Snakehead Fish Facts H ducing population in Broward Creek so far. All have been County, Florida, the Asian fish known caught in shallow, grassy " As a family, snakeheads are native to parts of as the Northern Snakehead is now be- water. Like the earlier speci- Asia and Africa. The northern snakehead is ing caught by fishermen and state wild- mens, these fish will be native to China, and possibly Korea and Russia. life managers in a freshwater section of taken to the Smithsonian " Typically found in a wide variety of habitats the Potomac River. It is too early to say Institution for genetic test- that this is a reproducing population ing. Fisheries biologists are "Northern snakeheads grow to a maximum length but concern about the potential ad- conducting additional tests of about 33 inches verse impact of this invasive species to determine age and sex of " Generally tan in appearance, with dark brown grows each time another specimen is the fish. mottling; body somewhat elongated; long dorsal reported. Here is the latest information Virginia Department of fin; jaws contain numerous canine-like teeth from the Virginia Department of Game Game and Inland Fisheries, (similar to pike or pickerel) and Inland Fisheries. Maryland Department of " Capable of breathing air using an air bladder that As of July 9, 2004, the number of Natural Resources and the works as a primitive lung (not found in most fish) northern snakehead fish caught in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Potomac River is rising. A fisheries are coordinating their efforts " Able to hibernate in cracks and crevices during biologist with the Virginia Dept of Game to confirm if there is an es- cold temperatures and to go dormant in the mud and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) caught tablished reproducing popu- during droughts the 14th fish while electrofishing in lation of northern snakehead " Voracious top-level predator, eating mostly fish, Dogue Creek. That fish came in at just fish in the Potomac River. but also eats other aquatic wildlife and frogs over 16 inches in length. Fish number Some anglers who caught " Capable of moving short distances on land using 13, which was caught at the same loca- snakehead fish reported its pectoral fins; can live out of water for as many tion, measured just over 17 inches in seeing a second adult fish in as three days length and was a mature female full of the area where they caught eggs. This is the second female with their fish. Fisheries biolo- " Favored as a food fish throughout southeast eggs that has been caught. The other gists have also observed Asia; also believed to have curative powers. was caught on June 23 in Little Hunting additional adult snakehead Also sold in the aquarium trade. Creek. fish in the water while sam- " Four species have been found in the U.S., in All have been caught in a 14-mile pling these areas. These eight states, probably the result of releases from stretch of the Potomac River. Five sightings may indicate that personal aquariums or to develop local food snakehead fish have been caught in some adults are spawning; sources Dogue Creek and three have been however, at this point, no " No natural predators in the U.S. nest sites, Snakehead fish eggs, or young-of-the-year fish tor in the ecosystem. If a population have been found. were successfully established, it would Northern snakehead disrupt the ecosystem in the Potomac fish are an invasive spe- River by displacing native fish and Pelvic fins close to Extended anal fin cies and a top-tier preda- competing for habitat. Northern pectoral fins and gills snakeheads prefer shallow vegetated waters and do not tolerate saltwater. The VDGIF reminds anglers that they remain the best source of informa- tion regarding the collection of these exotic fish. Anglers are asked NOT TO RELEASE a suspect fish, but to kill it humanely with a blow to the head and to get it on ice as quickly as possible. Anglers should report their catches to authorities immediately: Call the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisher- ies in state, toll-free at 1-800-770-4951. Out-of-state callers reporting snake- head fish caught in Virginia waters should call directly to 804-367-1258.

4 — VWR Beaks & Bills

Dunlin (Calidris alpina) by Julie G. Bradshaw

n your next foray to the Outer machine. Scientists have determined the series, “Beaks and Bills” initiated O Banks or Eastern Shore beaches that the birds’ bills penetrate less than some interesting discussion here in the and mudflats, keep an eye out for the ¼ inch into the sand or mud. Dunlin office, as different impressions of these Dunlin, one of our most common shore- are one of six main shorebird species two terms unfolded. Ornithologically birds. Dunlin are small sandpipers, a bit that use Delaware Bay beaches and speaking, all birds have bills. These larger than Sanderlings, and are most feed on horseshoe crab eggs there, bills are also referred to as beaks in easily identified in their summer plum- although they seem to not be as depen- birds of prey such as eagles and hawks. age, when they have a dent on this food source as Red Knots. Please forward any questions, com- distinctive black belly The Dunlin is one of three species ments, or suggestions for this column and rusty back. In of shorebirds that are considered indi- to the author at [email protected]. winter, they are cators of the health of northern difficult to iden- hemisphere ecosystems. References: tify because The main Elphick, C., J.B. Dunning, Jr., & D.A. Sibley they are, like many shore- source of mor- (eds). 2001. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior. National Audubon Society. birds, a nondescript gray tality of Dunlin Alfred A. Knopf, NY. 587 pp. above and white below. How- is thought to be pre- ever, they differ from other dation by falcons and other Richards, A. 1988. Shorebirds: a Complete Guide to Their Behavior and Migration. shorebirds by their rela- raptors during the winter. How- Gallery Books. New York City, NY. 224 tively stocky bodies ever, loss of wetland habitat for pp. and somewhat breeding and wintering, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 2003. Delaware hunched, no-neck and declines in food Bay Shorebird-Horseshoe Crab Assessment posture, and by a bill sources such as horse- Report and Peer Review. Prepared for the that’s a little bit longer than shoe crab eggs are also Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commis- sion by the USFWS Shorebird Technical other sandpipers’, and is slightly down- significant causes of declining Dunlin Committee, Peer Review Panel. USFWS curved at its tip. populations. Migratory Bird Publication R9.03/02. Ar- Dunlin occur in Virginia during all This article marks the second in lington, VA. 99 pp. but the breeding season. They can be what is planned to be an ongoing series Warnock, N.D. & R.E. Gill. 1996. Dunlin found, often in very large flocks, on on birds that use the wetlands and (Calidris alpina). In: The Birds of North beaches and mudflats. They are one of coastal resources of Virginia. Images of America, No. 203 (A. Poole & F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadel- the last shorebird species to migrate the Dunlin and the subject of the first phia, and The American Ornithologists’ from their breeding grounds in the Ca- article, the Hooded Merganser, appear Union, Washington, D.C. nadian and Alaskan tundra. In Virginia, in the masthead (above). The title of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Cape Charles are areas where they Preserving the Bay’s Living Shorelines grant to enable the production of a concentrate during fall migration. Dun- continued from page 3 “South River Living Shoreline and Es- lin can be found feeding in the intertidal wetlands boards and shoreline regula- tuarine Habitat Restoration Frame- zone and in water up to 2 inches deep. tors as well as non-governmental envi- work.” Once developed, this framework They eat marine invertebrates such as ronmental organizations (NGO). will be part of an overall strategy to polychaete worms, small clams, snails, Depending on how successful the educate landowners to the benefits of and amphipods, which they find by initial steps of the Living Shorelines natural shoreline management options shallow probing in the sand or mud. Stewardship Initiative are in Virginia, and to consider their use. The emphasis Individuals have often been observed organized shorefront property owners at present is to demonstrate the effec- probing with an open bill. Researchers may be eligible to apply for grants such tiveness of these “living” approaches speculate that the open bill probing as has occurred with the South River to shoreline erosion control and then to might allow the birds’ taste buds to Federation in Maryland. They have get the word out to property owners. help them find food. The probing be- partnered with the Chesapeake Bay David Burke, LSSI manager, con- havior of Dunlin has been said to re- Foundation and others in applying for a tributed to this article. semble the movement of a sewing

VWR — 5 Calendar of Upcoming Events July 21, 2004 VIMS Tidal Wetlands Seminar. VIMS’ Center for Coastal Resources Education, Gloucester Pt., VA For additional information, contact: Dawn Fleming at (804) 684-7380 or [email protected]

August 3-6, 2004 Hydric Soils Workshop. Norfolk, VA. Contact: Ralph Spagnolo, [email protected]

September 12-15, 2004 2nd National Conference on Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration. Seattle, Washington. Call: (703) 524-0248.

September 19-24, 2004 23rd Annual International Submerged Lands Conference. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. For information call 902-424-3160 or

October 25-28, 2004 7th Annual Wetlands Workshop. Atlantic City, NJ. The Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems Using Watershed-based Approaches. Contact: Frank J. Reilly, Jr. 540-286-6072 or

Marsh Mallow continued from page 3 New and Interesting Web Sites www.nos.noaa.gov and the management efforts taking early spring blooming plants that die place in several mid-Atlantic coastal The featured web page for this is- back in midsummer. Other suitable states. Now there is a new web site for sue of the VWR is one that all who native species to combine with sea- the critter that is really more closely work with shorelands and wetlands shore mallow include grasses, sunflow- related to spiders, ticks and scorpions should find useful and interesting. The ers, boltonia and goldenrods, especially (arachnids) than crustaceans. It turns address shown above is that of the those with a similar preference for wet out that the horseshoe crab is National Ocean Service. Here one can soils. Native plants used in the home Delaware’s state marine animal and the find information, news and links to all garden should always be nursery- web site is produced by the University manner of web sites dealing with propagated, not collected from the wild. of Delaware Marine Public Information coastal issues and projects. Office in cooperation with Sea Grant Join in the Celebration Want information on sea level rise programs throughout the mid-Atlantic. The seashore mallow deserves to be in Chesapeake Bay? Click on “Sea Lev- The new site discusses in a very recognized as Virginia’s Wildflower of els on Line.” Want to know when high interesting fashion all aspects of the the Year for 2004. Join in the celebra- or low tide is predicted to occur today Critter=s existence which is complicated tion, explore and discover a coastal or in the future? Go to “Tidal and Cur- by a myriad of factors, including its wetland this summer. rent Information.” Interested in real shorebird connection, human use Visit the Virginia Native Plant Soci- time tide heights compared to pre- (medical) and fisheries management ety web site (www.vnps.org) to read a dicted? Go to the “Center for Opera- efforts. The site also features the his- complete description and to view previ- tional Oceanographic Products tory and biology of the animal, where it ous winners. A list of retail sources of Services” (Co-ops). spawns, a variety of other fun facts nursery-propagated plants and respon- Maybe your interests go more to- and where you can go for more infor- sibly collected seeds is also available. ward coastal habitats, their protection mation. and restoration. Or maybe “smart References growth” or coastal hazards increase www.floatline.com Neal, Bill. 1992. Gardener’s Latin. your pulse rate. If so, click on the Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. Coastal Services Center. Another new web site; this one is Shetler, Stanwyn G. 2004 Wildflower of the One can also find information on designed to be a clearing house for Year brochure, Virginia Native Plant Soci- coral reefs, National Marine Sanctuar- news items and any and all information ety. ies, nautical charts and marine resource pertaining specifically to Chesapeake Silberhorn, Gene M. 1999. Common Plants economics...... enjoy! Bay activities. Here is listed special of the Mid-Atlantic Coast. Johns Hopkins events, ongoing environmental and University Press. www.ocean.udel.edu/ political issues and items pertaining to Van Scoyoc, Jill. 1993. Would a Mallow by horseshoecrab the health of the Bay. The site is to be Any Other Name Taste So Sweet? The kept updated on a regular basis and Piping Plover, June-July- 1993, This newsletter has featured in past should be an excellent resource for Bay Chincoteague Natural History Association. issues the plight of the horseshoe crab enthusiasts.

6 — VWR