Coastal Habitats of Long Island
Coastal habitats are found wherever the land meets the sea. With over 1,000 miles of shoreline, Long Island is home to a wide array of coastal habitats. These habitats support an extensive variety of plants and animals, some threatened or endangered. It is also the place where millions of people live, work and play. From New York Harbor to the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island’s coastline is a special place for many reasons.
Formed by glaciation roughly 22,000 years ago, Long Island has two characteristic moraines (glacial deposits) that heavily influence the variety of terrains found along Long Island’s unique shoreline. On the north shore you’ll find rocky deposits, steep slopes and multiple embayments whereas on the south shore you’ll find sandy beaches, marshlands, gentle slopes and barrier islands.
Long Island’s coast is extremely dynamic, constantly changing in responses to not only natural processes (wind, waves and tides), but also human activities. Whether you enjoy dining on local seafood, fishing, swimming, boating or just visiting the shore, these habitats provide resources and services that make living on Long Island so unique. It is important that we find a balance in utilizing these resources, to ensure that coastal habitat continues to support our fragile and invaluable marine life as well as life as we know it on Long Island.
The barrier beaches along Long Island’s south shore are protected by dunes made up primarily of beach grass Ammophila breviligulata. These are our first line of defense against strong storms like hurricanes.
Seagrass meadows provide critical underwater habitat on Long Island. Eelgrass Zostera marina is our local species of seagrass which has declined by 90% over the last century.
Salt marshes, made up of smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora, become flooded at high tide. Not only are salt marshes important habitat but they also filter pollutants from runoff before it enters our waterways.
Cornell Cooperative Extension, with the help of volunteers such as Girl Scouts, have been restoring coastal plants for over 30 years! If you are interested in getting involved, follow our Marine Meadows Program and stay updated on volunteer opportunities.
Coastal Habitat Videos
Coastal Habitat Activities + Family Resources
Coastal Habitat- Fast Facts
Learn about different coastal plants and the habitats they form here on Long Island as well as the efforts to restore these important habitats.
Piping Plovers and their Habitat- Coloring Page
Try this coloring page featuring piping plovers and their coastal dune habitat!
Early Education-
Coastal Habitat
Try our oyster worksheets with your Pre-K- Kindergartner! Includes coloring, matching and tracing activities all about animals you find in eelgrass meadows!
Salt Marsh Coloring Page
Color in the salt marsh habitat and it’s inhabitants!
Early Ed- Scavenger Hunt
Try our Early Education scavenger hunt all about coastal habitats that can be done inside your home! Recommended for Grades K-2
Coastal Habitat- More Coloring Pages
Enjoy these coloring pages featuring different coastal habitats!
Early Ed- Habitat Sorting
Try this early education activity where your child can cut-and-paste animals and plants into the correct habitat! K-2
Student and Teacher Resources
Habitats and Niches- High School
Challenge your high school science student with this read and respond activity focused on vocabulary terms like habitat, ecosystem, community, biome, niche and restoration.
The Salt Marsh- Nature’s Filter
Have your middle school student try this read and respond activity about the important role that salt marshes have in filtering runoff, symbiotic relationships in the salt marsh,and more.
