Primary Focus: Investigating the invasive reed Phragmites. And salinity (How salty the water is.)

Some of our QuestionsIs Phragmites spreading? Is Phragmites responding to restoration efforts?How does that correlate with salinity levels?

Where is Phragmites thriving? Where is Phragmites stressed?

•Phragmites prefers water with lower salinity, and has a harder time growing in salinities > 20 ppt (Rozsa 1995)

•Phragmites would grow taller in areas with lower salinity. Shorter stands of Phragmites indicate salinity stress.

•Phragmites would respond to increased tidal flow by decreasing in height and retreating along the transects.

Our Hypotheses

Restore Tidal Flow by

Opening Tide Gates

Increasing Culvert Size

Argilla Road, Ipswich Salt Marsh was restored in 1997 Phragmites

retreated

Phragmites and Salinity Methodology

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25

Well Depth

-5

-35

-65

-20

-50

-80

-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

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How

dee

p it

colle

cts

from

Salt Marsh

Underground

Graphic by David M. Burdick  Jackson Estuarine Laboratory   Department of Natural Resources   University of New Hampshire

How does the water cycle and the tide cycle impact salinity levels?

Predict: Where will salinity be the highest: Site 1, 2, or 3?

Phragmites

Salt Marsh HayCordgrass

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=769

0

5

10

15

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30

35

40

Ocean Salinity is 32-35 ppt

Phragmites Height Scale

0

80

160

240

320

400

Heig

ht (c

m)

Is the Town Farm Road salt marsh healthier now that we have restored tidal flow?Check the things below that would indicate a healthier salt marsh:Higher salinity ____________ Lower salinity __________________More invasive species _________ Less invasive species ___________Taller Phragmites _____________ Shorter Phragmites ____________More native plants _________ Less native plants _____________More wet, dead areas __________ Less wet, dead areas ____________

Hypothesis: Replacing the culvert (pipe under the road) would lead to reduced Phragmites, and improve the health of the marsh.

Does the data support this hypothesis? What evidence do you see? (If the data gives mixed results, please describe.)

Is the Town Farm Road Salt Marsh Healthier now that we have restored tidal flow?Check the things below that would indicate a healthier salt marsh:Higher salinity _____x_______ Lower salinity __________________More invasive species _________ Less invasive species _____x______Taller Phragmites _____________ Shorter Phragmites _____x_______More native plants ____x_____ Less native plants _____________More wet, dead areas __________ Less wet, dead areas _____x_______

Hypothesis: Replacing the culvert (pipe under the road) would lead to reduced Phragmites, and improve the health of the marsh.

Does the data support this hypothesis? What evidence do you see? (If the data gives mixed results, please describe.)

www.massaudubon.org/saltmarsh

Salt Marsh Science Website holds the data.