Restoration of the turning basin and tidal wetlands at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site: 2015 data report
James M. 2016. Restoration of the turning basin and tidal wetlands at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site: 2015 data report. Natural Resource Data Series. NPS/SAIR/NRDS—2016/1006. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
In 2015, vegetation and nekton were sampled at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site. This monitoring is part of an on-going post restoration monitoring associated with the restoration of the historic turning basin and freshwater tidal wetland adjacent to the Saugus River. Vegetation in both the natural and restoring marsh were sampled using 1-m2 vegetation plots. Species composition and percent cover were estimated along with other cover types such as bare ground, and wrack. Nekton were sampled twice, once in early July and again in early September in both the turning basin and the Saugus River. Two types of gear were used; a quantitative 1-m2 throw trap and a seine. The natural marsh was characterized by high species diversity (26 species) although narrow leaf cattail (Typha angustifolia) was the most abundant cover type observed. In the restored marsh, bare ground and algal mat comprised the majority of the relative percent cover. Dwarf spike rush (Eleocharis parvula) was the most common vegetative cover. Two invasive species were observed in the natural marsh: purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea). Aquatic vegetation was primarily horned pondweed (Zannichella palustris) in both the turning basin and river. The invasive curly pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) was observed in the turning basin. Common nekton in both the turning basin and river were the mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus). Other common species that were collected were four spine sticklebacks (Apeltes quadracus), Sevenspine bay shrimp (Crangon septemspinosa), American eel (Anguilla rostrata), and white suckers (Catostomus commersoni). Physical parameters (water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen) were all generally within the water quality standard for Massachusetts warm water fisheries, except during the September nekton sampling when one temperature reading was above the threshold for warm water fisheries.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- James, Mary-Jane
- Date of Issue
- 2016-01
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- NETN , NRSS , SAIR
- Keywords
- 2227262, freshwater tidal wetland, marsh, nekton, NETN, Northeast Temperate Network, post restoration monitoring, SAIR, Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, Saugus River, turning basin, vegetation