Chapter 4
The Ecology of Long Beach Island In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous. Aristotle
Long Beach Island
is safe haven to thousands of species that live in the bays, salt marshes, mud flats, dunes, and ocean. Animal species include both full-time residents and migratory species of fish, birds, and marine mammals. Human impact from development, pollution, fishing, and species introduction is influencing the species composition of LBI and its waters. Barrier islands consist of a number of distinct habitats. Crossing the island from the ocean side, one encounters the nearshore zone, beach, dune, maritime forest or backdune, salt marsh, and water of the bay, lagoon, or estuary.
Nearshore and Beach Zone The LBI beach is constantly being moved by longshore and rip currents. Breakers stir up water, and sand grains are lifted and moved by currents before settling to the sea bottom. Sand particles are generally transported parallel to the shore in the direction of the prevailing longshore current. Gains and losses of sand can be affected by human activity. The wildlife of the sandy shore habitat must deal with waves, wind, the twice daily rise and fall of the tides, and the instability of the surface. Shifting sands provide no firm surface for attachment of plants or animals. Dune grass and snow fences hold sand and prevent or at least slow wind erosion. A few species are frequently found washed onto beaches. Marine algae and seaweeds are not plants but rather members of the kingdom Protista. The most abundant marine algae are single-celled organisms called phytoplankton. Other small organisms include microscopic 20