Nurturing the wetland forest, nature’s water filter
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. The Future of Atlantic White Cedar (AWC) Wetland Forests is an integrated research and extension project that explores hydrology, land use history, ecohydrology, and root analysis to map out the interconnected web of variables that contribute to the survival and growth of AWC forests. The research ultimately helps guide management of AWC forests, including desirable native species, cold water fish habitat and optimal water quality. It takes place in cranberry-bog-turned-restored-freshwater-wetland. Now part of the MassDER program dedicated to cranberry bog to wetland restorations in Massachusetts, measurable metrics to assess the success of such efforts are especially critical and timely.
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 multiple trips to the site(s) during the summer (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 about the Atlantic White Cedar Forested Wetlands project intrigues you, 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 di!erent techniques. Students will be paid hourly for research assistance through the CAFE Summer Scholars program. The Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment Summer Scholar program provides paid internships up to $6,000 (plus $500 for materials and in-state travel) for highly motivated students within initiatives, projects and activities related to research projects, and includes professional development workshops and events to help build professional and research skills and foster a supportive network among the cohort of students. Awards will be for up to $6,500 and can be expended on student salary and operational funds (travel, supplies). Students may be employed for any period of time that falls between 5/18/25 and 8/30/25. All funds must be expended by 8/30/25. Students are required to present their work at a poster session at the beginning of the fall semester and prepare a short summary for our website.