Investigating the Relationship Between an Invasive Species and Contamination in Stella’s Marsh, Edmonds, WA
Research Mentor(s)
Sofield, Ruth M.
Description
In early 2015, residents of Stella’s Landing Condos in Edmonds, WA noticed bittersweet nightshade, an invasive species, starting to encroach on their cattail-dominated wetland, known as Stella’s Marsh. In this investigative study, we will attempt to identify the potential changes that allowed the invasive bittersweet nightshade to proliferate in Stella’s Marsh by performing a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment. We will analyze water samples for metals and TPH-BTEX, and wetland sediments will be analyzed for metals and PAHs. Vegetation cover and distribution of the bittersweet nightshade and native cattail will also be measured. We aim to determine if there are any relationships between potential contamination in the wetland and the distribution of the bittersweet nightshade. Finally, we will suggest management strategies to address the invasive vegetation based on our findings.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
17-5-2017 9:00 AM
End Date
17-5-2017 12:00 PM
Department
Environmental Sciences
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Wetlands--Washington (State)--Edmonds; Wetlnad management--Washington (State)--Edmonds; Invasiva plants--Control--Washington (State)--Edmonds; Wetland ecology
Geographic Coverage
Edmonds (Wash.)
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this documentation for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Investigating the Relationship Between an Invasive Species and Contamination in Stella’s Marsh, Edmonds, WA
In early 2015, residents of Stella’s Landing Condos in Edmonds, WA noticed bittersweet nightshade, an invasive species, starting to encroach on their cattail-dominated wetland, known as Stella’s Marsh. In this investigative study, we will attempt to identify the potential changes that allowed the invasive bittersweet nightshade to proliferate in Stella’s Marsh by performing a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment. We will analyze water samples for metals and TPH-BTEX, and wetland sediments will be analyzed for metals and PAHs. Vegetation cover and distribution of the bittersweet nightshade and native cattail will also be measured. We aim to determine if there are any relationships between potential contamination in the wetland and the distribution of the bittersweet nightshade. Finally, we will suggest management strategies to address the invasive vegetation based on our findings.