Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve - Research and Monitoring

Research and Monitoring

Since the 1980s, the Wells Reserve research program has been expanding knowledge of coasts and estuaries with an emphasis on ensuring healthy salt marsh ecosystems. Some key areas of research include:

• fish distribution and growth
• salt marsh restoration
• coastal watershed land use
• invasive species
• biological productivity in estuaries
• patterns in plant communities
• avian productivity and survivorship
• Lyme disease ecology

Staff scientists also continually monitor trends in weather, water quality, nutrients, and plant and animal communities, contributing to a national effort that promotes effective coastal zone management.