Wild NYC: The Shoreline
Summary
In this "Wild NYC" segment, host Brian Lehrer explores the New York-New Jersey Harbor and Estuary with urban ecologist Marla Anzalone and Hudson River Foundation director Rob Pirani. They discuss the ecological significance of estuaries, defining them as zones where fresh and salt water meet, and highlight key species like seahorses, salt marsh grass, and eastern terrapins. The conversation also covers the role of wetlands in absorbing floodwaters and the remarkable recovery of wildlife, such as eagles and ospreys, in the region.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: 4th Witch Macbeth at NYU
Introduction to Wild NYC September episode
Guest introductions: Marlee and Rob
NYC's history as a city of islands
Defining estuaries and tidal flux
Biodiversity stats: fish and bird species
Intertidal habitats and seahorses
Call-in segment: listener connections
Defining wetlands and salt marsh grass
Historical loss of wetlands to development
Listener texts: favorite water wildlife
Is the East River an estuary?
Herons, eels, and piping plover protection
Call-in: Swimming in the Hudson in the 70s
Call-in: Eastern terrapins in the bay
Hudson River Foundation projects and wetland value
Closing remarks and next month preview
WNYC sponsorship information
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