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Pettaquamscutt Cove Salt Marsh: Environmental Conditions and Historical Ecological Change
Citation:
Watson, Elizabeth B., C. Wigand, H. Andrews, AND S. Moran. Pettaquamscutt Cove Salt Marsh: Environmental Conditions and Historical Ecological Change. U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-14/065, 2014.
Impact/Purpose:
Restoration planning is underway for the Narrow River Estuary, with the goal of improving ecological resilience of estuarine habitats to climate change, including water quality, biodiversity, and fish and wildlife habitat. We report on environmental conditions relevant to restoration planning.
Description:
Using historic air photos and U.S. Coast Survey maps, historic vegetation changes were identified. Using surveys of vegetation and elevation, we measure elevation of Narrow River salt marshes, and compare it with other salt marshes in Rhode Island and neighboring states. Water levels were measured and used to develop an inundation/frequency diagram. By analyzing dated and undated salt marsh sediment cores, accumulation rates, soil composition, and historic nitrogen sources are also reported.