Systemwide Monitoring Programs
Water quality conditions (salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity) and nutrient levels of several parameters (ammonia, nitrate+nitrite, orthophosphate, and chlorophyll a) are monitored at four stations along the salinity gradients in the South Edisto River. Weather conditions (rainfall, photosynthetically active radiations, temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, and wind speed & direction) are monitored at the ACE Basin NERR field station at Bennetts Point. More information about NERRS SWMP as well as the data collected through December 2004 are available for viewing and downloading at http://cdmo.baruch.sc.edu/. Real-time weather data (two-hour delay) are available to the public at http://www.nerrenvirons.org/.
The ACE Basin Reserve has also been involved with studies of vegetation in the Reserve. A study of emergent vegetation in relation to several factors (water level, salinity, and pH) and the flora and fauna (crab burrows, periwinkle snails, ribbed mussels, and American oysters) were examined in the salt marshes along Scott Creek. Edaphic factors are being monitored and data from ground water wells will be analyzed so that comparisons between various sampling sites along Scott Creek can be made. .