Farm Creek Marsh Restoration Response to a Tidal Creek Network Extension
Open AccessThis project investigates the response of high salt marsh vegetation to a novel form of hydrologicrestoration in Farm Creek Marsh, Maryland. Farm Creek Marsh is a case study on the impacts of accelerated sea level rise in the high salt marsh. Changes in tidal inundation have expanded shallow pools in the high marsh and contribute to marsh degradation and habitat loss. Restoration efforts were implemented by the Maryland Audubon Society in 2018. A one-meter deep, two-pronged channel was excavated to connect the northeast high marsh to the adjacent tidal creek network. The aim of this restoration activity was to provide additional drainage to the northeast section of the high marsh platform. To monitor the effect of the creek extension activity, vegetation transects and quadrats were established on the northeast (Treatment) and southwest (Control) sections of the high marsh. Transects were 25 meters in length and distributed throughout the two sections. Transects were positioned perpendicularly to established pool edges to determine vegetation community change and pool increase, decrease, or stability through time. Vegetation was monitoring from 2018-2021 using the point intercept method on transects and estimated percent cover of quadrats. Point intercept and quadrat data were analyzed using continuous trend and ordinations methods. Community ordinations suggest a significant difference between communities from Treatment and Control sections, using an analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) non-parametric test. Changes in the vegetation suggest a stabilization in Treatment communities and a decline in the Control communities. We conclude that the restoration has temporarily stabilized the decline of high marsh plant communities at this site, but it is likely that decline will resume due to continued sea level rise acceleration unless more steps are taken.
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