'I often joke that we’re trying to save the planet one acre at a time'
I’m a conservation land manager at the Port of San Diego in California. My team and I aim to manage the tidelands around San Diego Bay, an area of more than 4,850 hectares, three-quarters of which is covered by water at high tide. At least 60% of the bay’s shoreline is ‘hardened’ — that is, it is edged with either a solid seawall or rip rap, piles of artificial boulders.
To prevent erosion of the adjacent natural shoreline and restore wetlands, we’re participating in the San Diego Bay Native Oyster Living Shoreline project. As part of that, in December 2021, we placed 360 reef balls — depicted in this photograph from September this year — along 260 metres of shoreline to form the foundation of a native-oyster reef in the south bay. Here, I’m looking for oysters that have settled and are growing on the spheres.
The reef balls are made out of ‘baycrete’, a concrete mixture made with local sand and the shells of farmed oysters. These attract wild oysters, which come to live there. We’re targeting the native Olympia oysters , which can filter up to 190 litres of water per day. And sediment should accumulate behind the reef balls, encouraging the growth of eelgrass . The grass is the foundation of the bay’s food chain.
In a couple of years, native oysters will cover the reef balls, forming an artificial reef offshore. This reef will cause storm waves to break farther from the shoreline, protecting the adjacent salt marsh. Just inland from this area is a wetlands habitat refuge for the endangered California least tern , and many birds are already hopping onto the reef balls and eating what’s living there.
Living shorelines are an important part of sequestering carbon to combat climate change — both eelgrass and oysters store a lot of carbon. The reef balls are win–win–win. I often joke that we’re trying to save the planet one acre at a time.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Minnesota man who said he idolized mass shooters arrested after building arsenal of weapons, FBI saysA man who said he idolized the shooter who killed five people at Club Q and was building an arsenal of automatic weapons to use against police was arrested as he tried to buy grenades from an FBI informant, according to charges filed this week.
Consulte Mais informação »
Building a Social Security ‘bridge,’ considering 100% equities — how to make your money last in retirement.The key for retirees who are trying to make their money last and near-retirees worrying about it, says longtime retirement-income and Social Security analyst James Mahaney: putting together what he calls a “resilient retirement income plan.”
Consulte Mais informação »
Esplanade campus sale was Valley's largest office building sale of 2022 - Phoenix Business JournalPumping more money into new renovations was a theme throughout 2022 as flight-to-quality was top of mind for tenants and landlords amid concerns about recruiting, retaining and getting the best out of their workforce in this post-Covid world. Click through to read about the Top 10 highest-priced office deals of the year.
Consulte Mais informação »
Ogden buys historic Union Station building from Union PacificThe Ogden City Council approved a $5,562,044 purchase of the 8.6 acres of land under Union Station earlier this month.
Consulte Mais informação »
Minnesota Man Who Idolized Mass Shooters Was Allegedly Building Arsenal: FBIRiver William Smith, who also expressed interest in neo-Nazi paramilitary groups, was arrested as he allegedly tried to buy grenades from an informant.
Consulte Mais informação »
Exclusive: Woman recounts horrifying attack in Brooklyn apartment buildingThe victim is sharing her story to serve as a warning to other women and to help catch her attacker.
Consulte Mais informação »