Salt Marsh Science Project Results & Data

Students in coastal Massachusetts, particularly on the North Shore, have been working with Mass Audubon's scientists to collect exciting data about salt marshes. This information is used to help protect and restore this critical wildlife habitat. Click on the following areas to find out more about the data collected.

Salinity

As part of Mass Audubon’s Salt Marsh Science Project, scientists and students have been measuring the salinity (salt content) of water at different depths to learn whether Phragmites distribution within the salt marsh is controlled by ground water (water deep below the ground surface that is the source of well and spring water) or interstitial salinity (water just below the ground surface from the tide). Get the salinity data 

Vegetation

Mass Audubon scientists are leading efforts to monitor the vegetation of salt marshes over time, particularly where the Phragmites are growing. Middle and high school students are helping with this monitoring through participating in Mass Audubon’s Salt Marsh Science Project. We are investigating whether Phragmites are spreading in the salt marsh, how fast Phragmites are spreading, and whether the height and spread rate is impacted by different salinity (salt content) levels. Get the vegetation data

Fish

Students participating in Mass Audubon’s Salt Marsh Science Project are helping collect data on fish. Many sites that they are investigating are on sites where roads have been blocking the flow of the incoming tide. To investigate whether these “tidal restrictions” are affecting fish, minnow traps are set on both sides: upstream and downstream. Middle School and High School students are investigating sites on the North Shore of Massachusetts. Get the fish data

Marsh Sediment

With the help of high school and middle school students, Mass Audubon’s Salt Marsh Science Project is able to measure the vertical sediment deposition (gradual pile up of additional layers of sediment) on salt marshes across the North Shore using marker horizons. After one year or more, we go back and measure the amount of sediment accumulated on top of the marker. Get the marsh sediment data