Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. 18/12/86; New Jersey; 18,800 ha; 39o43’45”N 74o11’43”W. This site, which includes coastal salt meadows, flooded woodlands and open bays and channels, is of particular importance for waterfowl, specifically the northern black duck (Anas rubripes) and Atlantic brant (Branta bernicla horta) which nest at the site. It is located on the Atlantic Flyway and so supports over 200 species of bird that use the area each year as a nesting and staging site. Among these species are threatened or endangered species such as the piping plover (Charadrius melodus), the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), the least tern (Sterna antillarum) and roseate tern (Sterna dougallii). The Site supports rare sea-level fen communities, which in turn support six rare plant species. It is also important as a nursery for fish and shellfish species supporting 167 fish species, 35 macroinvertebrate species and two shellfish species. The high levels of urban development in the surrounding areas have resulted in increased nutrient load due inflows, reduction in baseline subsurface and surface water flows, changes in water and air quality and loss of habitat around and at the edges. In addition, sea level rise poses a major threat as it would lead to the disappearance of some of the tidal marshes. Ramsar Site No. 348. Most recent RIS information: 2011.

Last publication date: 02-05-2014