The Waquoit Bay watershed,
 like most coastal areas in the Northeast U.S., has a long history of human alteration. Even the lands and waters that are now protected within the Reserve and appear “natural” have been altered from their pre-colonial condition and may not be providing the full ecological functions that they once did (or could). Several projects have been implemented and/or are currently underway to restore ecological function to disturbed areas.
Estuarine Eelgrass and Benthic Communities
Eutrophication is the most significant issue affecting the Waquoit Bay ecosystem. Continually increasing nitrogen loads from wastewater, fertilizer and atmospheric sources have led to drastic shifts in estuarine habitats. Eelgrass habitat, critical to fish and shellfish communities, was once plentiful. It is now completely missing from the main Bay and is disappearing from the few subembayments where it remains. In addition to eelgrass loss, eutrophication has led to a variety of other changes that affect benthic communities throughout the estuary by changing dissolved oxygen conditions and bottom substrate.
The solution to eutrophication is to reduce the amount of nutrients getting to the Bay from its watershed and airshed. Success will require changes at the local, regional and even national level. Despite the daunting scale of the task, WBNERR is actively engaged in activities to restore the health of Waquoit Bay's eelgrass and benthic communities.
Scientific research conducted at the Reserve beginning in the late 1980s helped to define the problem of eutrophication. More recently, monitoring data collected at the Reserve has been used in linked watershed-embayment models that are being used by the Massachusetts Estuaries Project (MEP) to calculate Total Maximum Daily
Loads (TMDLs) for nitrogen. TMDLs represent the maximum amount of nitrogen a waterbody can assimilate and still accommodate its designated use(s), e.g., drinking or swimming.
The models and TMDLs are tools used at the state and local level to direct decisions regarding nitrogen-load-reducing management activities. In addition to providing monitoring data, WBNERR staff have contributed to the Massachusetts Estuaries Project by serving on the advisory committee, reviewing and commenting on reports, and offering technical input to the nitrogen loading models. WBNERR also promotes nutrient reduction through programs that educate watershed residents about the source of the problem and potential solutions. Additionally, the Reserve and its partners actively pursue opportunities to protect open space and to maintain vegetative cover that helps to intercept nitrogen by taking land out of potential development. WBNERR will remain determinedly engaged in these activities for the duration of this management plan.
Quashnet River
The Quashnet River is the largest tributary stream of Waquoit Bay and an example of the coastal cold-water, low-gradient streams unique to glacial outwash plains of the region. Historically, it was famous for its anadromous fish runs of river herring and native sea-run brook trout. It also supports a catadromous run of American eels. A combination of human impacts—including dam construction, overfishing and intense agricultural practices—had degraded the physical habitat in the Quashnet River. For more than 30 years, Trout Unlimited and the MA DFW have worked to reclaim the Quashnet as a trout stream and, coincidentally, improve habitat for a diverse community of fish, invertebrates, birds and other native animals and plants. WBNERR has contributed to the restoration effort by planting and monitoring experimental plots for different types of revegetation, providing technical advice about revegetation and habitat structures, coordinating AmeriCorp group project days, and assisting with restoration monitoring. The Reserve intends to continue to work with Trout Unlimited and the DFW to improve the habitat to restore the intertwined river-bay ecosystem.
South Cape Beach Saltmarsh
Road construction significantly limited the flow of salt water onto the salt marsh behind the now rarely used roadway to the “old” state beach and at the Mashpee town beach road at the southeast corner of Waquoit Bay. The altered flow may have caused a loss of salt marsh cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, and salt marsh hay, Spartina patens. These desirable marsh grasses have been replaced by Phragmites sp. which is considered less desirable than the marsh grasses as wildlife habitat. Phragmites also produces less material for the detrital food chain and is thought by some to be a fire hazard because it dries at the end of the growing season. In addition, there is some evidence that panne areas in the healthy wetlands are increasing. The Reserve has worked with MA CZM and the Town of Mashpee to assess the problem and consider alternative restorative actions. The Reserve, in partnership with these organizations, is currently moving forward with final construction designs to implement actions that will restore tidal flow to the constricted marsh area. Specifically, two narrow culverts that have
been replaced with one bridge and one larger culvert. An ongoing pre-project monitoring program will continue into the future to assess the success of the restoration activities.
Coastal Sandplain
The Reserve contains several small areas of remnant coastal sandplain grassland. This once common natural community is now rare because it has been replaced by coastal development, or because the wildfire disturbances that once maintained it are now arrested. The Reserve uses mechanical methods and prescribed fire to control natural succession and restore sandplain grassland habitat on Washburn Island and at the headquarters site. These activities promote the rare natural community and species that comprise it, including Agalinis acuta (sandplain gerardia) and Liatris borealis (New England blazing star). Agalinis is on the Federal endangered species list and Liatris is a state-listed plant of special concern.
Abigail Brook
Abigail Brook is a small, wetland-fringed tributary on the east side of Waquoit Bay. The Cape Cod Atlas of Tidally Restricted Saltmarshes, prepared by the Cape Cod Commission, describes the culvert under Great Hay Road as a tidal restriction. Replacement of this culvert with a larger structure will allow natural tidal flows to return to this altered wetland with positive effects on the plant and animal community. This project is currently being considered for future implementation by the Reserve with partner organizations: MA CZM Wetland Restoration Program, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Sand Dunes
Foot passage through the dune areas of South Cape Beach State Park has damaged the dune grasses and the dunes. Dune restoration will be accomplished through a combination of boardwalk construction, fencing, dune planting, signage, and outreach.
Threatened Shorebirds
There are two species of concern on Reserve property; the piping plover and the least tern. The Federal government lists the piping plover as a threatened species of shore bird. Piping plovers presently nest in limited numbers on South Cape Beach and the beach at the southern end of Washburn Island. Because their eggs are laid on the ground and are well camouflaged, they are often accidentally damaged or destroyed by human actions. Nests on the ground also make the eggs easily accessible to predators. The Reserve’s Seasonal Shorebird Manager works in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement (DFWELE) and the Massachusetts Audubon Society. The Reserve trains volunteers to 1) recognize signs of mating and nesting activity and 2) to erect predator exclusion fences to protect eggs and hatchlings. Volunteers inform beach-goers about risks to the birds’ nests and chicks from dogs, flying kites, and other human activities on the beach. The seasonal shorebird manager tallies adult bird pairs and egg and fledgling numbers.
Least terns (Sterna antillarum), a state species of special concern, are present at South Cape Beach and have historically nested there. Roseate terns, common terns, willets, and American oyster catchers also feed at South Cape Beach and may nest there as well. Reserve staff monitor the activities of all five species.
Habitat Restoration Science in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System
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