Salt Marsh Science Project Resources & Links
Curriculum
Middle & High School Students
This curriculum includes classroom activities, identification sheets, and a dichotomous key for identifying salt marsh plants. It also provides data sheets for salt marsh field trips. Mass Audubon is pleased to offer these tried-and-true methods for studying Phragmites, vegetation, fish, and salinity in salt marshes!
Get the curriculum & learn more >
The data sheets utilize lessons developed by Kristen Grant and salt marsh science protocols developed by Dr. Robert Buchsbaum and Dr. David Burdick. Classroom teachers Carmen Ochoa and Amanda Demetri worked with Mass Audubon staff to develop the "integrated unit."
Data Nuggets
During 2015 Mass Audubon’s Salt Marsh Science Project (SMS) and Plum Island Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Research (PIE-LTER) began involvement via our Schoolyard K-12 education program with the Michigan State University NSF sponsored Data Nuggets activity. Data Nuggets are created to bring real data from current and ongoing research into the classroom and take students through the process of science, from the inception of ideas to the analysis and interpretation of data.
Examples and links to PIE LTER Schoolyard K-12 education program associated Data Nuggets.
Can a salt marsh recover after restoration?*
Can mudsnails disrupt a salt marsh foodweb?
Does sea level rise harm Saltmarsh Sparrows?
Keeping up with Sea Level Rise
Invasive Reeds in the Salt Marsh*
Is your salt marsh in the zone?
Urbanization and Estuary Eutrophication
Additional Data Nuggets Based on Great Marsh Research
Green Crabs: Invaders in the Great Marsh
* Based on SMS Student Data.
Perennial Pepperweed Control Handbook
Perennial Pepperweed is an invasive weed that has been growing and spreading at an alarming pace, particularly in salt marshes. Mass Audubon, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, the Massachusetts Bays Estuary Program, and the Newburyport Gulf of Maine Institute worked together to create the Perennial Pepperweed Control Handbook. It contains many lessons learned from battling pepperweed and other invasive species.
Get the handbook & learn more >
Videos
Voices of the Great Marsh
An exploration of the 20,000+ acre Great Marsh Ecosystem on the Upper North Shore of Massachusetts. This 13 minute long video presents a compelling historical and contemporary portrait of the Great Marsh through the voices of those who have worked to protect it for future generations. This includes footage and interviews with participants of Mass Audubon's Salt Marsh Science Project. Watch the video >
Produced by the Eight Towns & the Great Marsh Committee, co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Bays Program and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission.
The Great Marsh Classroom with Liz Duff & Lori LaFrance
Tidal restrictions, or constrictions, which alter the flow of salt and fresh water have a major effect on the conditions which can favor the growth of the invasive Phragmites reed. This video follows students from Ipswich High School as they participate in Mass Audubon’s Salt Marsh Science Project, collecting and analyzing data in Ipswich. They presented their findings at Mass Audubon's 17th annual Coastal Science Conference. Watch the video >
Filmed by Rick Hydren of Staddles Productions.
"Danger in the Reeds" Series Overview
"Danger in the Reeds" is a series of documentary videos developed to educate the public about the aggressive invading plant called Phragmites australis. This invasive species is pushing out the natural diversity of salt marshes with dense, monoculture stands of tall reeds that have deeply penetrating roots. The overview includes footage of students from Ipswich High School participating in Mass Audubon's Salt Marsh Science Project in 2013. Watch the video >
Filmed by Rick Hydren of Staddles Productions.
Healthy Habitats in the Great Marsh
In this short video, coastal ecologist and Salt Marsh Science Project co-founder Dr. Robert Buchsbaum talks about about birds and vegetation in salt marshes. Part of the "Danger in the Reeds" video series. Watch the video >
Filmed by Rick Hydren of Staddles Productions.
Why are Our Salt Marshes Falling Apart?
Scientists conducting long-term ecological research in the Plum Island Estuary, on the North Shore of Massachusetts are studying the impact of excess nutrients on a salt marsh. Learn about their results in this short video featuring Senior Scientist Linda Deegan. Watch the video >
Produced and published in 2012 by the Ecosystems Center Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA.
High Marsh Healthy Plant Diversity with Gregg Moore
How do healthy marshes compare with marshes invaded by Phragmites? Assistant Research Professor from the University of New Hampshire Department of Biological Science Jackson Estaurine Laboratory explores this question with his son in this video. Part of the "Danger in the Reeds" video series. Watch the video >
Filmed by Rick Hydren of Staddles Productions.
Other Related Websites
- PIE-LTER Schoolyard K-12 education program (Plum Island Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Research)
- Gulf of Maine Institute
- Eight Towns and the Great Marsh (hosted by the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission)
- The Great Marsh Coalition