Savin Hill Cove in need of restoration

Savin Hill Cove, like many areas in Boston Harbor has been heavily altered by human activities. This project aims to restore the natural ecological services provided by spartina cord grass, which has been degraded by landfill and other anthropogenic activities over the years. The project consists of placing Living Island Biohaven^© structures in the intertidal zone adjacent to the shoreline where restoration of marsh grass is needed. These intertidal wetlands provide ecological services such as storm surge protection, also as a natural filter of pollutants from marine activity, and as well as runoff from nearby roads and development. With the living island in place the group set up fixed cameras that are mounted in designated locations to monitor the growth, deposition, and erosion that occurs over a couple of months.

As a team they found it difficult to obtain maps containing information on the history of the shoreline erosion along with anthropogenic affects such as dredging in the cove. As the winter months approach the team also found it difficult to monitor growth patterns since plant life has become dormant; this makes it difficult to produce any information regarding the affects of the floating living islands. In response the team took more responsibility towards installing the islands and camera monitoring systems for future groups in the Living Lab program.

For more information about BioHaven Floating Islands, please visit http://www.floatingislandse.com/