Other Threats to Coastal Habitat

Habitats Affected

SAV, wetlands

Impacts

• SAV can be physically damaged by boat propellers (recurrent damage and long recovery period), anchors, jet skis.
• Sediment resuspension from boat wakes in shallow waters can reduce water clarity for SAV and erode wetland shorelines.

Habitats Affected

Shell bottom, SAV

Impacts

• Past occurrence of seagrass wasting disease caused extensive losses of SAV habitat.
• Increased occurrence of oyster diseases has contributed to decline of shell bottom habitat and its lack of recovery.

Habitats Affected

Water column, shell bottom, SAV, wetlands

Impacts

• Introduced species can compete with natives for space, light, and nutrients, and displace natives with species of lower value to native fish utilization. For example, Eurasian watermilfoil competes with native low salinity SAV plants in some areas of the coast.
• Unintended effect of nuisance species control on nontarget species

Habitats Affected

Water column, ocean hard bottom

Common Sources

Storm drains, accidental and intentional littering

Impacts

• Fish, reptiles, birds and mammals can become entangled in debris, leading to:
  • loss of mobility
  • increased mortality
  • greater risk of infection
• Ingestion of debris by organisms can also have lethal or sublethal effects

Habitats Affected

Wetlands

Common Sources

Natural event accelerated by global warming

Impacts

• As sea level rises, wetlands erode and “drown”, especially along steeply sloping shorelines or where inland migration of wetlands is restricted.
• Rising sea level increases salinity upstream and alters distribution and composition of fish populations