Marine Ecosystem Research Laboratory
Monitoring Zostera marina (common eelgrass) in the Barnegat Bay estuary
This project is a continuation of monitoring started in 2011 and biannually funded by the Barnegat Bay Partnership. Collection of both environmental (water column and sediment) and macrophyte data (density, biomass) takes place during the summer growing months with the assistance of Stockton students. A permanent water quality station is in place at Barrel Island.
Habitat assessment within the Barnegat Bay estuary
Multiple habitats exist within Barnegat Bay and this project is broadly aimed at assessing the extent of these habitats and the services they provide for commercially and recreationally important shellfish and finfish. Also considered are the physiological responses of marine plants (macroalgae and seagrasses) to nutrients and herbivore disturbances. Parameters of interest include species richness, abundance, temporal and spatial trends of amphipods. Additionally, tracking the movement of large predators (e.g., sharks, rays) within the ecosystem is important to determine the habitat usage by these animals as it influences overall habitat importance.
Ecosystem Restoration
Seagrass ecosystems have been in decline throughout Barnegat Bay for the past several decades. While monitoring efforts continue to track the extent of the problem, recently funded efforts within the MERL lab include partnerships with other agencies charged with mitigating losses from human-induced causes of decline (e.g., bridge construction) as well as climate-induced losses.
