To continue monitoring vegetation change and mudflat development in the Quinnipiac River tidal marshes. In addition, to conduct field and lab work to begin to test hypothesized causes for the observed wetland loss and to assess how marsh loss has affected the load of pollutants (N,trace metals) to the river.
University of New Haven, Dept. of Biology and Environmental Science
Date Issued:
Amount:
17 992.00
Description:
For development of GIS data layers and analyses in support of conservation and sustainable development activities in the lower Quinnipiac River Watershed.
Spartina patens in contrast primarily occurs as small patches. All the patch types have highly complex shapes that may facilitate interaction among patches and among vegetation patches and the river and creek system in the marshes.
To continue monitoring vegetation change and mudflat development in the Quinnipiac River brackish marshes, and begin to test hypothesized causes for the observed wetland loss. To complete a nitrogen and trace metal analyses and begin to assess how marsh loss has affected the load of pollutants to the river.
To test various water quality parameters and assess the condition of the Hemingway Creek, a tributary of the Quinnipiac River which borders one of our preserves.
Hemingway Creek experienced degradation by dispersed low-level pollutants from surrounding land uses entering the creek through stormwater runoff, and by silt from roads and perhaps the two rock quarries. The effects of these pollutants have been exacerbated by the many historical physical alterations of the stream channel.
To support the production of a student lead project of internet based-handheld computer field guides resources for the Quinnipiac River that calculates water quality data, geology, oysters, plants, macro-invertabrates, birds and oystering history.
To support investigation of the various stresses that may be contributing to the extensive loss of vegetation in the Quinnipiac tidal marshes and begin to gather data on the relative importance of sub-surface compaction, decompositon in causing elevation loss in this ecosystem.
To support the organization and implementation of QRWA Stream Buffer Initiative to encourage land use practices that minimize adverse impacts on the watershed and increase public access to the river and its tributaries.
Wrote and published the Streamside Landowners' Guide to the Quinnipiac Greenway, a one-stop conservation management resource for waterfront landowners. Developed a youth-centered nonpoint source outreach and education program that trains groups on how to stencil "no dumping, drains to Long Island Sound" messages on storm drains.
Funds are requested to support the continuation of measuring elevation change and water levels in the Quinnipiac River marshes in efforts to understand the rate and causes of marsh drowning (conversion to mudflat) that has been observed there.
The project produced several observations: parts of the marshes appear to be experiencing substantial subsidence; internal recycling of organic sediment may be a source of material to the marsh surface; water levels are controlled in part by watershed runoff; and concentrations of PAHs and PCBs in sediments are quite high.
Funds are requested to support an environmental study assessing relationships among habitat structure, marsh topography, ecological dynamics and potential conservation initiatives in the Lower Quinnipiac River marshes.
Funds are requested to support the convening of a bio blitz on August 22nd to provide a list of species found in the preserve during one 24-hour period.
