FISH RESEARCH: "Day in the Life of the Hudson River Estuary" Ecology Research Event (Oct. 20, 2015)

Synopsis: On Oct. 20, 2015, Nyack College biology majors and Department of Natural Sciences faculty, Dr. Peter Park (Assistant Professor of Biology and Nyack College Fishing Club Director) and Dr. Daniel  Kaluka (Assistant Professor of Chemistry) participated in the "Day in the Life of the Hudson River Estuary" Ecology Research Event. Our students partnered with SUNY Rockland’s Nancy Arias and her students to jointly collect valuable research data on the Hudson River at the Hook Mountain Nyack Beach site.

 

They collected data on some of the Hudson River’s 200-plus species of fish and also examined the physical and chemical aspects of the river with a wide-range of equipment. Spanning over 70 sites from Troy to Staten Island, “Day in the Life” brought together over 5,000 students from 100 different schools, institutions, and organizations to simultaneously survey and study the Hudson River. 

 
“More than a field trip, ‘Day in the Life’ trains students to use hands-on field techniques to describe their communities’ natural resources, and explore how their piece of the river fits into the larger ecosystem. Initial findings are posted online within a few days of the event. Scientists work with students as they actively investigate the river ecosystem, measuring water chemistry, examining small sediment cores, collecting plankton, donning waders to seine for fish and looking at possible changes to the area from rising sea level.” – NYS DEC, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University


Project: Day in the Life of the Hudson River
Host: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University and NYS DEC
Organizers: Margie Turrin (Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University), Chris Bowser (NYS DEC)
Website(s): More info about the event: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/47285.html
Date: October 20, 2015
Location: Hook Mountain - Nyack Beach
Participants: Students of Nyack College and SUNY Rockland

(Photo Credit: Hwa Soo Ryoo)

Environmental Variables (measurements taken 2:00PM, 10/20): 
Air Temp:  deg C
Water Temp: 17 deg C
Salinity: 8 ppt 
DO: 8 mg/L

Species Caught (and Released) by Site:

Fish Species:
White Perch (Morone americana)
Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis)
Atlantic Silverside (Menidia menidia)
 

White Perch (Photo Credit: Daniel Kaluka)

Top: White Perch; Bottom: Striped Bass (Photo Credit: Daniel Kaluka)

Atlantic Silverside (Photo Credit: Hwa Soo Ryoo)

Other Species: 
Sand Shrimp (Crangon septemspinosa) 
Blue Claw Crab (Callinectes sapidus)
White fingered mud crab (Rhithropanopeus harrisii)
Clam Worm (Nereis spp.)
Sea Jelly spp.

Sand Shrimp (Photo Credit: Daniel Kaluka)

Blue Claw Crab (Photo Credit: Daniel Kaluka)

White Fingered Mud Crab (Photo Credit: Peter J. Park)

White Fingered Mud Crab (Photo Credit: Peter J. Park)

Clam Worm (Photo Credit: Peter J. Park)

 

  

Acknowledgements: We would like to thank Nancy Arias, SUNY Rockland's Sustainability Club members, and Michael A. Bell for sharing their knowledge and equipment.