Science & Research
Good information helps understand and solve problems. The challenge of restoring the Inland Bays has always been guided by the scientific research conducted by the CIB and its partners.
Since inception, the Center has invested nearly $1.5 million in research ranging from continuous monitoring of bay health indicators, to the investigation of individual solutions to pollution like specialized cover crops on farm fields. The Center serves as a key link in the research process by helping to communicate results so that the public, resource managers, and elected officals understand them and can put them to work.
Most of the research and monitoring of the Inland Bays and their watershed is conducted by DNREC, the University of Delaware Citizen Monitoring Program, and UD scientists. The Center’s Scientific & Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) provides a forum for presentation and discussion of the information that is used to advise the Center’s Board of Directors. The STAC is also a forum that is easily accessible to the media and general public. Center staff regularly synthesize science in state of the bays reports, special issue reports, and public comments on important issues.
Current CIB funded research efforts include anintensive survey of hard clams and other shellfish, research on the drivers of long-term changes in saltmarsh acreage and health, and the feasibility of using diatoms (single celled aquatic organisms) as indicators of changes to bay health. An upcoming study will begin production of a habitat suitability map for eelgrass restoration. The next State of the Bays report is due early in 2011.
Communicating science is our goal and you are more than welcome to call the Science Coordinator with questions or ideas you might have about the Bays (302) 226-8105.
Science & Research Projects
| Fish Monitoring Study | Horseshoe Crab Survey | |
 Begining in spring 2011, 15 to 20 sites around the Inland Bays were sampled twice a month to determine the numbers of fish by species. The goal of this long term monitoring study is to determine how the fish population is changing over time. Find out more » |
 The 2011 Inland Bays Horseshoe Crab Survey was the 4th annual survey and was conducted at seven survey sites on all three Inland Bays; a research partnership with Dr. Doug Miller and his graduate students at the University of Delaware, School of Earth Ocean and the Environment in Lewes. |
| Saltmarsh Acreage & Condition Change Project | Anchorage Canal Retofit Project | |
 Center for the Inland Bays and University of Delaware saltmarsh acreage and condition change project team, Chris Bason, Adrew Homsey, Richard Field, and Jo Young-Heon; not pictured Geri Pepe (UD) and Kurt Phillipp (Wetland Research Services). |
 George Junkin with the Town of South Bethany deploys a continuously operating dissolved oxygen meter in the Anchorage Canal to study water quality and detect the potential effects of pollution control projects. |
Did You Know
DID YOU KNOW?
Despite their fierce looking appearance, the horseshoe crab is harmless to humans. It uses its 'tail' as a rudder to steer, and to turn itself over in the sand when it gets flipped.
Take Action
TAKE ACTION
So Many Ways to Help the Bays
You’re Invited!
YOU'RE INVITED!
Join us for these upcoming events.
- Diamondback Dash
9:00 am - May 19, 2012 -
