Monitoring Carbon Sequestration Potential at the Saw Mill Creek wetland Restoration site
Our Projects
Project Lead
Ildiko C. Pechmann
Problem
Monitor pre- and post-restoration trends in carbon sequestration at the Saw Mill Creek Wildlife Management Area. Fulfill carbon sequestration monitoring of 200 acres of intertidal mudflat as stated by the MRRI NOAA Grant (2025).
Objective
Install monitoring equipment at the intertidal zone of Saw Mill Creek and record variations in carbon sink strength during a 4- to 5-year wetland restoration process.
Strategy
Purchase and install a Li-COR eddy flux covariance tower equipped with a Li-7500 open path CO2 analyzer and establish a baseline of carbon fluxes at the mudflat-atmosphere interface. Move the tower within the restored area to collect post-construction carbon flux data.
Activities
- Assemble the tower in the MRRI environmental laboratory and test its functionality.
- Deploy the tower near the proposed restoration site.
- Collect baseline data prior to construction.
- Continue data collection during construction.
- Move the sensor cluster within the restored area to continue data collection post-restoration.
- Analyze pre- and post-restoration data to assess restoration effects and fulfill the NOAA grant monitoring requirements.
Outputs
- Pre- and post-restoration carbon flux dataset.
- Statistical analysis of the data.
- Technical report detailing the findings of the analysis to be submitted as part of the NOAA grant monitoring requirements.