Coastal Wetlands
Forming an ecological buffer between land and water, coastal wetlands are an important component of a healthy and diverse ecosystem. Ongoing Sea Grant research projects are broadening our understanding of coastal wetland processes and their market value. As Great Lakes water levels remained close to historic lows in 2003, Sea Grant staff also partnered with other organizations, agencies and shoreline residents to find common ground over issues related to new wetlands growth on Great Lakes bottomlands.

Emergent Wetlands
A multi-party Shoreline Task Force, facilitated by Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension, identified and clarified shoreline maintenance issues related to emergent wetlands along Michigan’s Great Lakes coastline. Convened at the invitation of state representative Joseph Rivet (96th District) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Detroit District, the task force completed a consensus document and set of recommendations in April 2003.

The document identifies opportunities to allow shoreline property owners to access and enjoy their waterfront while maintaining the ecological value of these new wetland areas. Scientists recognize that these wetlands are part of the natural long-term water cycle and provide many ecological benefits including erosion control and critical habitat for fish and wildlife.

A set of recommendations was directed to pertinent regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality among others, and identifies inconsistencies in the permitting processes governing shoreline activities.

As a result of task force work, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers developed a regional permit that is now in place for Michigan and simplified its permitting process. According to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Magness of the Corp’s Detroit District, more than 300 residential property owners took advantage of the new one-page permit in 2003.

The Shoreline Task Force Consensus Document was presented to members of the Michigan legislature. For more information contact Jennifer Read at jenread@umich.edu or (734) 936-3622.

Effects of Sedimentation
Accelerated rates of sedimentation, commonly caused by erosion, are especially harmful to wetland habitats. Wetland function depends largely upon microscopic organisms that assist in decomposing dead plant matter, or detritus. Excessive sediment can inhibit metabolic activity or limit access to plant matter.

In a study of two Lake Erie wetlands, researchers led by Robert Neely of Eastern Michigan University and Robert Sinsabaugh of the University of Toledo, monitored 30 specially designed enclosures to measure the effect of sedimentation on the rate of decomposition. Sites monitored were located at Lake Erie Metropark (high marsh) and Winous Point (low marsh).

In recent analysis, investigators found that plant decomposition and microbial activity at the two sites are strikingly different. Bacteria dominated microbial activity at the low marsh site, and because of the submerged conditions, algal communities on the detritus were prevalent. Conditions at the drier high marsh site were more conducive to fungal communities, which have a higher oxygen requirement.

According to researchers, differences in hydrology, or the frequency of inundation related to a wetland’s elevation and proximity to the lake, appear to be the most important factors affecting rates of microbial metabolism and plant decay. For more information contact Robert Neely at neely@emich.edu or (734) 487-4344.