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?

Name of research group, project, or lab
The Hatch Lab (Morrill Science Center & Fieldwork)
Why participate in this opportunity?

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.

Logistics Information:
Subject Category
Earth Systems
Ecology
Ecology and Environmental Sustainability
Environmental Science
Geology
Natural Resources Conservation
Plant and Soil Science
Science (Interdepartmental)
Student ranks applicable
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Student qualifications

The student(s) must have the ability to work independently and be responsible. Students interested in gaining some lab and field experience must be organized, detail-oriented and possess good data management skills. Field work can involve long days, walking several km over uneven ground without a trail, ground is often very uneven and wet. Poison ivy, sun or cold, ticks and other outdoor inconveniences are common. Overnight accommodation and transportation is included but students may need to bring some food. Students must have the ability to work independently and be responsible, and the lab instrumentation requires acute attention to detail for successful measurements. Enthusiasm for a novel project and ability to work in a diverse team are also a plus! It is extremely advantageous (though not required) if students have a car and ability to travel to the site(s) independently. Students will be primarily advised by Christine Hatch and graduate student Lyn Watts.

Time commitment
11-14 h/wk
Position Types and Compensation
Research - Paid, General
Number of openings
1
Techniques learned

      The CAFÉ summer scholar will engage in documenting AWC forest ecosystems, including mature and restored freshwater wetlands. The scholar will collect AWC root samples, soil cores, and ecohydrologic measurements. The scholar will be trained in all methods and laboratory facilities on campus to analyze mycorrhizae presence in roots, and the soil record of landuse history. These data will help evaluate the effectiveness of restoration techniques for AWC on cranberry bogs. The scholar will carefully document all procedures and analyses (YSI multi-meter for in-situ samples, preparing of collected samples for analysis), and summarize their findings at the conclusion of the summer. The scholar will be provided with pre-restoration samples and data, and generate their own. Much of the fieldwork will be completed over several weeks, separate or consecutive, at the site (lodging is provided, stipend will supplement travel and per diem costs). Laboratory work and analysis to be conducted at UMass.

      The scholar’s data contribute to a three-year study focused on Atlantic White Cedar Ecosystems and Restoration management. The scholar will work with graduate student(s), PI, and Living Observatory to document, analyze and interpret Atlantic White Cedar forest/swamp ecosystem data from mature forests and restored wetlands. The trajectory of change in these systems will help us predict the timeline of recovery. Scholars will also assist with ongoing documentation at multiple sites including: soil chemistry, moisture, site slope, hydrologic assessment (drone-derived and/or LiDAR-based elevation models, in-situ water and piezometer measurements), logging and calibrating hydrologic measurements, streamflow measurements, stage-discharge relationships, water chemistry.

      Throughout the planning, design, implementation and analysis, the scholar will receive individual mentoring, training and supervision from the PI and graduate student(s) for experimental design, field set-up and work, and laboratory work. The research team will be available over the summer for guidance and group mentoring.  

Project start
5/18/2025
Contact Information:
Mentors
cehatch@umass.edu
Extension Professor, Earth, Geographic and Climate Sciences Department, UMass Amherst
cwatts@umass.edu
Graduate Student
Name of project director or principal investigator
Christine E. Hatch
Email address of project director or principal investigator
cehatch@umass.edu
1 sp. | 11 appl.
Hours
11-14 h/wk
Project categories
Ecology and Environmental Sustainability (+7)
Earth SystemsEcologyEcology and Environmental SustainabilityEnvironmental ScienceGeologyNatural Resources ConservationPlant and Soil ScienceScience (Interdepartmental)