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

As part of an ongoing project to assess changes in ecosystem structure and function following wetland restoration, scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) have been measuring water chemistry, streamflow, water storage, and topography at a range of active cranberry farms and those that have been retired and converted into wetlands. As part of these assessments, post-restoration surveying has been conducted at two sites, Manomet Brook and Eel River.

Regular flow measurements are completed by scientists, postdoctoral research associates, and research technicians from the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service and the University of Massachusetts Cranberry Research Station in streams associated with active cranberry farms, retired cranberry farms, and former cranberry farms that have been converted to wetland systems.

Scientists, postdoctoral research associates, and research technicians from the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service and the University of Massachusetts Cranberry Research Station have been conducting weekly water sampling in streams running through active and retired cranberry farms since the summer of 2022. Water sampling also occurs on former cranberry farms that have undergone active restoration to freshwater wetlands. The researchers are investigating differences in water chemistry among these diverse ecosystems. 

Last week, United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) research hydrologist Casey, postdoctoral research associate Molly, and physical science field technician Julian collected data at Manomet Brook as part of a project to evaluate the ability of restored streams and wetlands to improve water quality. Excess nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) from fertilizers and septic systems can lead to aquatic ecosystem impairment, including nuisance algal blooms and low oxygen. Therefore, scientists are investigating the efficacy of cranberry farm restoration, including stream channel re-meandering and addition of woody debris, in removing nutrients.