System Wide Monitoring Program

With over 25 sites that reflect the diverse coastal biogeographic regions of the Nation, the National Estuarine Research Reserve System is ideally suited for a long-term trend-monitoring program to address estuarine management issues. The System Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) was created to identify and track short-term variability and long-term changes in representative estuarine ecosystems and coastal watersheds.

SWMP is a phased monitoring approach that focuses on three different ecosystem characteristics:

Abiotic Factors, including atmospheric, water quality (nutrients, contaminants, etc.) and physical parameters (salinity, tidal range, groundwater, freshwater inflow, bathymetry, etc.)
Biological Monitoring, including biodiversity habitat and population characteristics
Watershed and Land Use Classifications, including historic changes in spatial coverage and assessments of consumptive and non-consumptive uses

The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - MD is working with government agencies in the Bay region to integrate their SWMP into the bay-wide water quality monitoring effort to assess shallow water habitats. This integrated effort will provide managers with information to help characterize water and habitat conditions and identify specific problem areas throughout the Bay's tidal waters. Data collected through this effort is available at www.eyesonthebay.net usually within one week of collection.

Additional information on the program can be found at these web sites:
http://nerrs.noaa.gov/Monitoring
http://cdmo.baruch.sc.edu
http://www.ocrm.nos.noaa.gov/pdf/nerrswmp96-98.pdf

More Information

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Invasinators04/18/2021 @ 12:00 pm-2:00 pmBecome part of a volunteer team of invasive plant removers and native plant restorers. Learn why non-native invasive plants are a threat to our ecosystem, how to identify problem plants, and removal and restoration strategies. Wear sturdy shoes, long sleeves, and work gloves for field work in the Reserve each meeting date, weather permitting.
Ponds and Polliwogs04/18/2021 @ 1:00 pm-2:30 pmHop on over to dip net in the ponds and puddles surrounding the Center to see what is swimming around!
Wandering for Wildflowers04/18/2021 @ 3:00 pm-4:30 pmThe first wildflowers of spring are elusive and ephemeral but well worth the hunt. Hike on and off trail in search of ladyslippers, wild azaleas, and trout lilies, discovering the survival secrets of each!
Tails and Tots04/18/2021 @ 3:30 pm-4:30 pmStory time with a natural twist! Listen to stories, learn new songs, and move like the animals!
Nature Playgroup04/19/2021 @ 9:30 am-10:30 amLittle ones and their parents play and learn in the natural world. Stories, songs, simple crafts and discovery outings will highlight each day’s theme. Topics: Turtles, Flowers, Clouds, Frogs, Ducks, and Butterflies Dates: Mondays, March 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19, 26