Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

A State - Federal Partnership

Monitoring at Waquoit Bay

SWaMP! is an acronym that stands for System Wide Monitoring Program. SWMP is coordinated with all 25 National Estuarine Research Reserves across the country providing a way to identify and track short-term variability and long-term changes to the integrity of these representative estuarine ecosystems and coastal watersheds for the purposes of contributing to effective coastal management. In order to understand long-term changes in water quality, YSI 6600UPG data loggers are deployed throughout the Reserve’s waters. Measurements of dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, pH, depth and turbidity (water clarity) are taken every 30 minutes, continuously at each of the 4 sites that are maintained. The data collected provides background data for other research about the ecology of these habitats. If you are interested in the data or want to learn more about SWMP visit http://cdmo.baruch.sc.edu

BayWatchers is a Citizen Water Quality Monitoring group based in Waquoit Bay. The program began in 1993 and we now have 10 full years of data due to the wonderful efforts of our volunteers! Each of the 8 sites throughout the Reserve is measured for dissolved oxygen concentration, salinity, temperature (air and water), water clarity (using secchi depth), chlorophyll-a and nutrients. All sites are monitored monthly (once a month in the winter and twice a month in the summer). This monitoring provides a great baseline data set for those interested in testing and protecting our valuable resources. A directory is available of all the monitoring groups on Cape Cod.

CoastWatchers is another volunteer group that measures shoreline change on South Cape Beach and Washburn Island. Four months out of the year (primarily in the winter when the shoreline change can be dramatic from the effects of storms), a survey of linear and profile measurements are taken. A more detailed explaination of the research as well as links to the data are now available on our CoastWatchers page.

Threatened/Endangered Species are present throughout the Reserve. Every spring Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) appear on the beaches of Washburn Island, South Cape Beach, and neighboring New Seabury. Our seasonal Endangered Shorebird Monitor and trained volunteers monitor the beaches and erect symbolic fencing to protect the Plovers. Other monitored species include the Roseate Tern and Least Tern. Monitoring programs are also in place for rare and endangered plants, including Northern Blazing Star (Liatris borealis), and Sandplain Gerardia (Agalinus acuta).