Forested Wetland Studies: Atlantic White Cedars and Water Quality
Massachusetts has invested in restoring and protecting its wetlands, most recently by creating a cranberry bog program prioritize restoration in these places where the hydrology and geology are already optimal for wetlands. The independent study student(s) will assist with ongoing research on several southeastern Massachusetts sites encompassed by the Hydrologic Understory: Groundwater flowpaths, surface water mixing, underground thermal regimes and soil moisture monitoring - the interconnected web of hydrology and ecology beneath the surface. Specifically, students will assist with compiling background project literature on specific topics, performing chemical analyses on water samples in the laboratory, logging and calibrating hydrologic measurements, making ecohydrology plant community habitat measurements in the field (with a focus on Atlantic White Cedars), compiling, organizing and plotting collected data, processing and analyzing weather station and distributed temperature sensing (DTS) data and drafting results report. Background on Living Observatory collaborative projects can be found here (https://projects.livingobservatory.org/projects). The student researcher should expect to take at least one, and possibly two trips to the site during the semester (lodging is provided). Live data from restored wetlands Foothills Preserve is available here (https://tidmarsh.media.mit.edu/data/foothills), as is Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary. To apply for this opportunity, please include a brief statement of interest and current resume. For your statement of interest, consider answering the following question: What intrigues you about the Atlantic White Cedar Forested Wetlands project, what do you hope to learn from the experience, and what do you bring to the group and project?
This flexible independent study project allows students to participate in a multi-faceted larger, long-term study. Students will select a component of the project that is of particular interest to them, and while working on that piece, contribute to team measurements and the larger research project. Group fieldtrips (and adventures) to field sites will provide the opportunity for students to learn many different techniques. Students can choose 1, 2, or 3 credits (an average of 3, 6, or 9 hours per week), to participate on a volunteer basis, receive practicum/ praxis credits (for the Environmental Science or other major requirements), or in some cases to be paid hourly for research assistance (particularly during the summer, or as part of the LeeSIP or CAFE Summer Scholars programs).