Storm Buffers & Murky Birthplace

Storm Buffers & Murky Birthplace

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Tactile Exhibit,

Storm Buffers
In front of you, beyond Davis Bayou and Deer Island, are some storm buffers. Though 8 to 10 miles away, Horn Island and five other islands-Petit Bois, West Petit Bois, Ship, and Cat- help shield the sound and the mainland from the full brunt of hurricane winds and waves stoked by the gulf's warm waters. These islands slowly migrate westward as they are reshaped by currents running along the shorelines. They are part of an irregular 2,000-mile chain of barrier islands along the U.S. coast from New York to Texas.

Vegetation plays a critical role in shaping the landforms and providing some stability. On the islands, grasses trap sands that form dunes, where shrubs and trees take root. Seagrass beds and salt marshes help curb erosion.

Murky Birthplace
Don't let the stillness of the salt marsh fool you. The dark murky waters are swimming and crawling with life. Protected from predators of the open sea, the marsh serves as a productive breeding ground, maternity ward, and nursery for shrimp, crabs, shellfish, and finfish. Juvenile clams, oysters, and mussels filter nutrients from the tides. Young fiddler crabs and blue crabs feed on decaying plants and tiny organisms in the mud. Croaker, redfish, and mullet minnows devour aquatic insects, grow up, and as adults move out to the open coastal waters.