Pesch, CE; Shumchenia, EJ; Charpentier, MA; Pelletier, MC
Because environmental problems are often caused by an accumulation of impacts over several decades or even centuries, it is necessary to look at the environmental history of an area to understand what happened and why, before solutions can be devised. This case study of Greenwich Bay, a small sub-estuary of Narragansett Bay, describes the connection between the development in the watershed and the ecology of the bay. We divided the cultural history of the Greenwich Bay area into five time periods (Pre-Colonial, before 1650; Colonial, c. 1650 to c. 1750; Maritime, c. 1730 to c. 1820; Industrial, c. 1800 to c. 1945; and Suburbanization, c. 1945 to present) and described the ecological effects associated with each. During the first three periods, ecological eff ects occurred but were minimal. Major ecological effects occurred in the last 150 years. During the Industrial Period, the increase in people and industries resulted in bacterial pollution and shellfi sh bed closures, chemical pollution, and obstruction of anadromous fish runs by dams. Overfishing in all of Narragansett Bay reduced fish stocks. During the Suburbanization Period, the bay was aff ected by more bacterial pollution, increased nitrogen input, eutrophication, low oxygen, fish kills, and loss of eelgrass and scallops. This historical analysis of Greenwich Bay provides an opportunity to inform scientists, managers, and citizens about the consequences of development and gives environmental managers a foundation on which to make informed decisions for the future.