|
Marshes |
Contributor: Katharina Engelhardt, AL/UMCES
Dyke Marsh Preserve - Feasibility of Restoration
Dyke Marsh is an important, large tract of freshwater tidal marsh along the Potomac River in the Washington, D.C. area and has existed for at least 5,000 years (Myrick and Leopold 1963). Located just south of the city of Alexandria, VA, Dyke Marsh is viewed as a national treasure because of its proximity to the nation's capital and a large urban/suburban population, its history, and its current potential for provision of ecological services, recreational values, and educational opportunities. In addition, its location along a major travel corridor (George Washington Memorial Parkway) to one of the most popular tourist destinations in the D.C. area (Mount Vernon) provides Dyke Marsh Preserve (DMP) with opportunities to enhance the economic productivity and environmental education in the region. |
Hog Island Gut in Dyke Marsh Preserve. |
|
Since 1973 the National Park Service (NPS) has managed the Dyke Marsh Preserve (DMP) just south of Alexandria, VA, as the last major remnant of formerly extensive freshwater tidal marshes along the Potomac. Previous to NPS supervision, portions of the emergent marsh at DMP were dredged for sand and gravel with resultant loss of approximately half the emergent wetlands. Restoration of emergent marsh to the dredged areas would enhance the ecosystem and economic services provided by the marsh, expand the extent and quality of a relatively rare wildlife habitat, and extend the aesthetic appeal of this urban/suburban wetland. However, ecological feasibility and logistical problems of such a restoration effort cannot be taken lightly. This project reviewed the available data on both the physical and biological components of the marsh and supplemented that information with new data on standing vegetation and seed banks, hydrochory, marsh elevation, water and soil chemistry, and tidal fluxes to describe current conditions and evaluate the potential for success and sustainability of a marsh restoration effort. |
| |
Kristy Hopfensperger (graduate student at AL) and Rebecca Kenyon (teacher intern) downloading the tide gage. |
 |
| |
|
|
1937 aerial photo of Dyke Marsh Preserve |
1994 aerial photo of Dyke Marsh Preserve |
| Our overall goal was to establish the feasibility of restoring those portions of Dyke Marsh Preserve that were dredged to productive emergent wetlands, while maintaining the integrity and health of the existing marsh. If feasible, restoration should return much of the Preserve to historical conditions, enhancing wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, and ecosystem services |
|
