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Views from theTower AUTUMN 2023 | VOLUME 51 | NO. 3
Our Eyes (and Ears) are on the Marshes by Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Executive Director Wetlands and coastal ecosystems are dredged materials. We have established incredibly dynamic and change is constant. an array of water chemistry monitoring Superimposed on their rhythmic changes stations at The Wetlands Institute, in are increased pressures related to climate surrounding marshes, and at beneficial change, sea level rise, and intensifying use restoration sites for comparison. human use of these resources. The They are paired with eight stations that Wetlands Institute is exceptionally wellcontinuously measure water elevation. positioned to expand its work to study the Wetland plants are very sensitive to water changes that are occurring and what they depth and maintain maximum growth mean to the wildlife in the systems, and is potential over a very narrow range. These acting to restore and conserve them. stations enable researchers to understand how the marsh is responding to increased Our work over the past several years has flooding under accelerating sea level rise. also been increasingly focused on studying We are able to understand how marsh the responses of marshes and wildlife to grasses are reestablishing at restoration marsh restoration and habitat creation sites and how rising seas are changing the projects. As a part of this work, we recently delicate balance, using the data we gather launched the Coastal Sustainability and to inform restoration projects. Wetland Health Research Program. Thanks to generous grants from The Wiseman Information about how wildlife is using Family Foundation, The Davenport Family these marshes and how increased flooding Foundation, The Leff Family Foundation, is affecting them is another crucial aspect The Ward Family Foundation, Disney of the research. We have enhanced our Conservation Fund, the NJ Corporate monitoring with surveys of saltmarshWetlands Restoration Partnership, State of dependent animals to document how NJ DEP, and US Army Corps of Engineers, sea-level rise and coastal flooding are our scientists have been incredibly busy impacting local populations, and how being the eyes and ears of these marshes. they are responding to habitat restoration We maintain a comprehensive network of and creation. The health of coastal bird monitoring programs that, along with our and diamondback terrapin populations partners, are tracking theses ecosystems. is intricately linked to the condition of coastal marsh systems. Changes in the number of animals in the marsh, how they are using the marsh, and their breeding success can indicate changes within the saltmarsh itself. Several species of birds nest just above the marsh surface and nest loss due to flooding has become a new reality. Are these birds moving to new areas, changing their nesting practices, or utilizing newly created habitats? American Oystercatchers, which nest on In 2016, we installed wetland elevation area beaches as well as in the marsh, are monitoring stations that allow for precision of special interest. Our trained staff band measurement of the marsh surface, and we Oystercatchers to better monitor the local are monitoring both elevation and marsh population and habitat use. Clapper Rails, vegetation at TWI and at project sites Willets, Laughing Gulls, and Saltmarsh where habitat has been created using clean Sparrows are also species of interest and the
subject of various monitoring programs. How is repetitive marsh flooding affecting diamondback terrapins? They seek nesting areas above the high tide line, yet their nests are being more frequently flooded. Is the flooding affecting hatchling terrapins that spend their early years in the marshes? The Wetlands Institute has collected volumes of information over the years and new work continues to build these important data sets. Partnerships borne out of the Seven Mile Island Innovation Laboratory continue to expand the work being done in these marshes. Scientists from University of Pennsylvania, Louisiana State University, Villanova, Boston College, Stockton University, Widener University, and the US Army Corps of Engineers are collaborating and conducting additional research here.
Our research scientists are using newly acquired information to better understand marsh usage by sensitive species, and everyone at the Institute is working to preserve and protect our treasured marsh resources. We are providing decisionmakers with information about marsh conditions and how to restore them so they can play their critical role in coastal sustainability and storm protection for our community. Our efforts are helping guide management and coastal restoration decisions. These are complex systems and we are working to make sure these marshes are here for generations to come.
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