New Haven Harbor Watershed

Environmental Monitoring Program

Meteorological Data Monitoring

Project Fact Sheet #: 5

Project Title:

Benthic Community and

Sediment Sector Studies

December 2004

Primary Researchers:

Unknown

Sound School Staff:

Unknown

Description:

Using an extended version of the Shoreline Transect method and the guidance provided in the EPA Volunteer Estuary Monitoring: A Methods Manual, the primary investigators and research assistants will use bottom dredges, core samplers, traps, beam trawls and Otter trawls, water sampling bottles and water testing equipment to ascertain changes in the communities and populations throughout the watershed, to search for invasive species and assess what impact changes in weather conditions and water quality will have on ecosystems. An ROV will be used to make direct observations of marine inhabitants, Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV), invasive species and monitor changes and migrations of the populations and communities. It will also be used to observe what impact the recently installed submerged power cable will have on the organisms living in or migrating through New Haven Harbor. Changes in the bethic substrate will also be monitored.

Curriculum Integration: Aquaculture Biology (Sophomores), Marine Engineering/Physics (Juniors and Seniors), Ship Technology/Vessel Operations (Juniors and Seniors)