Changing Hudson Project Unveiled

The Hudson River is one of New York State's treasures. Our country's history is intimately tied to the River; Revolutionary War battles, artistic movements, innovations in shipbuilding, and the first industrial revolution have all taken place on its shorelines. Over the past century, human use has negatively impacted the river's environmental status. Understanding its ecology is imperative to protect the functionality and beauty of the river for generations to come.

Since the mid-1980's, Institute scientists have been researching the Hudson River ecosystem– from the way shoreline development impacts water quality to how the spread of invasive species affects aquatic life. As a result of Institute research, the Hudson River is one of the most scientifically scrutinized rivers in the world. With nearly one hundred papers published in scientific journals, as well as popular magazine, radio, and television coverage, Institute research helps inform sound river management strategies.

By treating the Hudson River estuary as an integrated system, as a research site that spans from Troy, NY, to the Tappan Zee Bridge, Institute research analyzes the river within its geographical context. Unlike smaller piecemeal approaches, this large-scale assessment allows ecologists to observe connections governing the Hudson River ecosystem. The 200-km-long study site has provided vital information on the river's biological populations, such as plants and fish, and the ecosystem processes they depend on.

Long-term studies are essential to understanding how complex ecosystems operate. Due to costs and time commitment, however, they are rarely conducted. For almost two decades, Institute scientists, with colleagues, have maintained records of key environmental variables, biological populations, and ecological processes in the Hudson River. Over time, as more data are gathered, scientists will reveal the subtle and complex interactions among the parts of the Hudson River ecosystem. By comparing data with comparable rivers and estuaries, researchers can gain insight into the Hudson River while revealing general rules about how riverine and estuarine ecosystems operate.