Quantifying Nutrient Transport and Transformation in Stream Channels Associated with Active, Retired, and Restored Cranberry Farms

This research explores the impact of agricultural stream restoration on water quality. Excess nutrients (e.g., nitrogen [N] and phosphorus [P]) from fertilizers and septic systems can lead to aquatic ecosystem impairment, including nuisance algal blooms and low oxygen. Vegetation and microbes in streams have the capacity to retain and transform N and P, preventing nutrients from human activities from reaching sensitive downstream estuaries and ponds. However, it is unknown how changes in stream channel complexity (e.g., re-meandering, addition of woody debris) and vegetative structure following ecosystem restoration of former cranberry farms can impact in-stream nutrient removal. This research aims to compare seasonal nutrient uptake capacity of streams flowing through cranberry farms retired from production (Red Brook Wildlife Management Area [formerly Century Bog] and Mill Brook Bogs Wildlife Management Area) and streams located in former cranberry farms that have been restored to freshwater wetlands (Eel River Preserve and Foothills Preserve). Additional study sites include three stream segments associated with a privately-owned cranberry farm flowing through an area of active cranberry production, an area retired from cranberry agriculture, and a forested section downstream of the farm. This work explores how differences in stream morphology, water chemistry, sediment characteristics, and biota may impact hydrology and nutrient uptake.