MIT Sea Grant collaborated with local, state and federal partners to restore 600 acres of coastal wetlands. Working in partnership with the EPA, MIT Sea Grant is monitoring carbon storage and greenhouse gas emissions at the site to gain a better understanding of the effects of converting cranberry bogs on carbon cycling in restored coastal wetlands. A stratified random sampling design was used to sample carbon content of soils and emissions using portable gas analyzers and chambers. Gas emissions were sampled in light and dark conditions to account for the presence and absence of plant respiration, allowing for analysis of microbial decomposition of soil organic matter and effects on carbon storage capacity. The restored site was paired with natural reference sites to assess carbon cycling trajectories over time relative to natural conditions. Data collected by this study is helping resource managers and conservation organizations better understand the effects of coastal habitat restoration on carbon cycling and ecosystem services, which is important for coastal resilience planning and management.
Biden-Harris administration invests $27 million to support community-driven marine debris solutions through Investing in America agenda
Today, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced $27 million in funding for projects to prevent and remove marine debris in coastal and Great Lakes communities as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
This funding will support innovative research and foster local coalitions to address urgent marine debris issues by using NOAA Sea Grant’s partnered approach to bring science together with communities for solutions that work.