How Are Our Estuaries Changing?

Join Wells Reserve scientist Laura Crane to learn how our local water chemistry has been changing over time, with a focus on the Webhannet River and Little River estuaries.

Since 1995, Wells Reserve researchers have been monitoring changes in water chemistry at four locations in the Webhannet River and Little River estuaries, with measurements being collected 24/7. This research is part of the System Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP)—a national effort to monitor water quality at 29 Reserves across the country. Global climate change has effects on our local waterways, which in turn can have significant impacts on the animals and people who rely on them. Researcher Laura Crane will introduce you to this exciting and important project and what we have learned so far about our changing estuaries. SWMP is a robust, long-term, and versatile monitoring program that uses the NERRS network to intensively study estuarine reference sites for evaluating ecosystem function and change. Reserve-generated data and information are available to local citizens and decision makers here: http://cdmo.baruch.sc.edu/