Family on boardwalk Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.
Family on boardwalk Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.
Snowy Egret standing on grassy island surrounded by water
Snowy Egret @ Clare Carvel

Salt Marsh Science Project Marsh Sediment Results & Data

With the help of high school and middle school students, Mass Audubon’s Salt Marsh Science Project is able to measure the vertical sediment deposition (gradual pile up of additional layers of sediment) on salt marshes across the North Shore using marker horizons. After one year or more, we go back and measure the amount of sediment accumulated on top of the marker.

Data

With the help of participating students, we have been collecting data on salt marsh sediment accumulation as it relates to coastal Massachusetts since 2013. Please note that not all sites are monitored each year—the date range indicates the start date and the most recent year data was collected. 

→ You can also download the full data set as an Excel file, and then use the bottom tabs in the Excel file to look at each site.

download Marsh Sediment - Full Data Set (434.5 kB)
LocationYearsMonitored ByNotes
Danvers, MA, Mass General2014-2017Holten Richmond Middle SchoolRestricted
Essex, MA, Conomo Point2017Museum Institute for Teaching ScienceRestored, Reference
Gloucester, MA, Eastern Point2013-2017O'Maley Innovation Middle School; Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical SchoolRestored
Gloucester, MA, Mill River2014-2016Endicott CollegeRestored
Ipswich, MA, Cedar Point2014-2017Endicott CollegeReference, Restored
Ipswich, MA, Little Neck Road2014-2017Ipswich High SchoolReference, Restored
Ipswich, MA, Town Farm Road2014-2017Ipswich High SchoolReference, Restored
Newburyport, MA, Joppa Flats2013-2017Endicott CollegeReference
Newburyport, MA, Parker River NWR2013-2016Endicott CollegeReference, Restricted
Rockport, MA, Seaview St.2014-2017Rockport Middle SchoolRestored 2, Restored 1
Rowley, MA, Railroad Ave.2013-2017Endicott CollegeReference
Salem, MA, Forest River2013-2019Endicott College, Saltonstall SchoolRestricted
Salisbury, MA, Railroad Bed2013-2015Endicott CollegeReference

Analysis Resources

Get Involved

If you'd like to collect data in your community, contact us.