Galveston Bay - summary

Subsidence, development, and shoreline erosion have contributed to the loss of habitat in Galveston Bay. The Galveston Bay Estuary Program (http://gbep.tamug.tamu.edu/) is coordination with the Natural Resources Conservation Service has developed innovative methods for oyster reef and wetland construction. The techniques developed during this project have bay-wide applications to enhance bay resources. Some examples of the methods employed include:

• Brush fencing, East Bay;
• Sediment 'warping', planting cordgrass and shoreline protection, Galveston Island;
• Hydraulic dredging and breakwater, Jumbile Cove;
• Restoring water flow onto the marsh for restoring tidal habitats, Pierce Marsh.

The lessons from these projects have general significance for work in Europe.