Research

 

At Jug Bay, citizen scientists learn about wetlands, natural history, and environmental science through active participation in a variety of ecological studies. Research volunteers assist staff naturalists by making field measurements; collecting and analyzing water samples; counting waterbirds; identifying plants; summarizing data; and in dozens of other ways.  Volunteers learn about the lives and ecological relationships of the myriad animals and plants found in the Sanctuary. Prior experience in science or ecology is not required; only a desire to learn about the natural world and a commitment to scheduled field work.  Staff naturalists and experienced volunteers will provide most of the training that is needed, with occasional help from scientists with other organizations. New volunteers are welcome and needed!  Call our Volunteer Coordinator to get involved.

 

Freshwater tidal wetlands, like those at Jug Bay, play an important role in transforming excess anthropogenic nutrients that enter the estuary and wetlands from upstream sources and from the atmosphere. These transformations are driven by microbes (bacteria), by algae and by aquatic plants. Many Sanctuary studies have focused on how Jug Bay wetlands transform nitrogen and phosphorus, resulting in less polluted waters that move downstream toward the Chesapeake Bay. For an excellent summary of the biogeochemical processes that take place in freshwater tidal wetlands, see the 2009 report by Patrick Megonigal and Scott Neubauer, (Smithsonian Environmental Research Center) published in Coastal Wetlands.

 

A Scientific Advisory Committee provides the staff with feedback and guidance on our study design, methodology and other aspects of Sanctuary research studies.

 

• Macro-invertebrate Sampling (aquatic insects)
• Fish Surveys
• Water Chemistry Monitoring

Plants