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In order to protect the park resources, we have to understand what is here.
The Boston Harbor Islands are a fascinating laboratory
for understanding coastal change and biogeography
because there are thirty-four separate islands and peninsulas,
of all different shapes and sizes, spread throughout Boston Harbor.
In general, the inner harbor is comprised of larger islands
that are forested and more of a mainland, like plant communities.
The outer islands are mostly windswept,
rocky barrens for the most part. The outer islands are extremely important for
coastal breeding birds
because there are not many islands on the Northeast Atlantic Coast
and these are places where there is less predator pressure and open space
for ground nesting birds such as eiders, terns,
cormorants and gulls. The inner islands
support breeding bird colonies of wading birds, such as herons and egrets
that nest up in the trees in dense colonies. We are working with scientists
from many universities in the area to understand
coastal change in the park. With rising sea levels
and changes in storm frequency and intensity,
it is becoming increasingly important for us to understand
where dramatic changes might occur in the park.
So to do that, we are working with geologists and hydrologists
to understand how sediments move around Boston Harbor,
how the the drumlin bluffs are eroding,
and where important resources and facilities
might be impacted first.