Ecological Evaluation for Estuarine Habitat Restoration at Herring River

• Applicant: Dr. Agnes Mittermayr
• Subject Area: Ecology and Biodiversity of Animals and Ecosystems, Organismic Interactions
• Term: from 2014 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 267024137

The Herring River Habitat Restoration Project in Wellfleet and Truro, MA, USA will be the largest estuarine habitat restoration in the north-eastern USA. The proposed study will be part of a multidisciplinary monitoring project involving numerous organisations. Reintroduction of the tidal flow to the river by means of incremental openings of a rebuilt dike and tidal control structure at the mouth of the river will eventually restore normal tidal range and salinity to approximately 445 hectares, allowing for reestablishment of estuarine processes and improved habitat for a host of estuarine plants and animals. Restoration of tidal flow will be guided and informed by a formal Adaptive Management Plan developed by the National Park Service. Fluxes of particulates and nutrients in estuaries are poorly understood. Sources of sediments, nutrients, particulate organic matter, as well as distribution throughout Herring River estuary are unknown. This study will answer those questions with bioassay and stable isotope studies and will be part of a comprehensive monitoring project. The unique opportunity of surveying pre-, mid- and post- restoration conditions of the Herring River Estuary will be fundamental for planning, implementing and managing future restoration efforts of coastal habitats.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Hosts: Sophia Fox; Dr. Christopher Neill