Research
Ensuring healthy salt marsh ecosystems by expanding our knowledge of coasts and estuaries.
Primary Areas of Research
Our research program focuses on salt marsh ecology, crustaceans, larval fish, invasive species, and climate-driven range expansion.
Environmental Monitoring
The Wells Reserve monitors weather, water quality, nutrients, and biological systems as part of the System-wide Monitoring Program.
For Visiting Scientists
The Wells Reserve site and facilities are available for use by a limited number of visiting investigators. Learn about our 2,250-acre site and dedicated research and teaching laboratories.
Our Research Team
Selected Projects
Coastal Habitat Response to Changing Water Levels (SSAM)
Developing a Sentinel Site Application Module to examine the interplay of water level, elevation, and plant communities at scales relevant to local, regional, and national decisionmakers.
Sentinel Site Synthesis for Four New England Reserves
Combining and analyzing data from 8 salt marshes at 4 New England reserves showed that marshes are becoming wetter, with low marsh areas losing plant cover and high marsh areas becoming more like low marsh over time.
Salt Marsh Creation in the York River
Upgrading two tidal crossings restored 5.5 acres of intertidal habitat in the York River estuary.