Project Description: This project aimed to restore 34-acres of vegetated salt marsh in the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve by testing the effects of different sediment thicknesses on vegetation growth. The reserve had 40-50 treatment plots with sediment treatment. Two sediment layer thicknesses were tested, 7 cm and 14 cm. A mixture of sand, silt, and clay with an addition of local mud was utilized for each treatment plot. An additional plot included a biochar amendment to improve soil and plant health. The results for this project indicated that a 14 cm sediment layer addition was optimal for the restoration of salt marshes for its higher height and vegetation growth.
