Design with Tappan Zee

In its simplest terms, this thesis work looks at the design and construction of habitat structures for two species, the Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis) and the Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) in the Tappan Zee region of the Hudson River. However, on a broader scale, the creation and implementation of these modules hope to serve as a theoretical pilot for retrofitting hard infrastructure such as Mario Cuomo Bridge to provide ecological benefits and aid in marsh migration through erosion control and sediment accretion. These processes also acknowledge the change to the site projected as a result of climate change: specifically flooding, marsh inundation, biodiversity loss, and possible salinity shifts.