Valuing Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands
The extensive coastal wetlands of the Great Lakes are unique in ecological
character, size and variety. In Michigan, they range from shoreline
wetlands and marshes along our northern coastline, to the extensive
wetlands of Saginaw Bay to the freshwater delta marshes of the St. Clair
River. These coastal wetlands offer habitat and ecological values that
are critically important to sustaining Great Lakes ecosystems and enrich
our own coastal communities.
Recognizing the importance of these sensitive areas,
Michigan Sea Grant adopted coastal wetlands as one of five priority
issues in 2000. Since then, we’ve worked to help Michigan’s
coastal communities appreciate coastal wetlands for all of their values
and ultimately take measures to protect them. Michigan Sea Grant currently
supports several research projects dedicated to understanding the dynamics
of Great Lakes coastal wetlands. These projects explore ways to determine
the nonmarket values of wetlands, the effects of marsh fragmentation
on fish diversity and productivity and the effects of excessive sedimentation
on the natural decomposition process.
Sea Grant’s extension agents located around the
state use this research-based knowledge to educate citizens of all ages
about the importance of Michigan’s coastal wetlands. Notably, Extension
Agent Walter Hoagman, author of A
Field Guide to Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands and A
Field Guide to Great Lakes Coastal Plants, has been instrumental
in sharing his knowledge and passion for Michigan’s coastal resources
with fellow educators and the public.
Michigan Sea Grant has also helped control the invasive purple loosestrife
plant in both coastal and inland wetlands. Since 1997, Sea Grant has
been a partner in the Purple Loosestrife
Project, an innovative biological control program with a strong
educational component. Volunteers raise and release the Galerucella
beetle, the plant’s natural enemy. Recent reports indicate that
the beetles have significantly defoliated purple loosestrife in mid-
Michigan wetlands at Crow Island, Nayanquing Point and Shiawassee River
State Game Areas, allowing native vegetation to re-emerge.
Coastal wetlands are also an important component of another initiative
gaining momentum—Sea Grant’s Sustainable Coastal Community
Development program. A first step in the program is to gather information
on resources allocated to coastal land use planning, including the number
of coastal communities that have adopted wetlands regulations. This
and other data will help Sea Grant’s Extension Agents better assist
those communities facing important planning decisions.
Through research and education, Michigan Sea Grant will continue its
work to educate Michigan residents of all ages about the wonders and
values of our state’s remarkable coastal wetlands.
John Schwartz,
Ph.D.
Michigan Sea Grant
Extension Program Leader
