MAINE AUDUBON SOCIETY

This report would not have been possible without the help of a dedicated team of volunteer Tidal Marsh Stewards who logged countless hours battling greenheads, mosquitoes, and mud to gather data in the name of science. The dedication of this group is a tribute to Maine’s greatest salt marsh and the diversity of life it supports.

I would also like to thank Steven Wade, a graduate student intern from Antioch College who compiled and analyzed much of the filed data collected by the Tidal Marsh Stewards, and Louisa Moore, who certainly logged many more hours than Maine Audubon was able to pay her.

Cover photo courtesy of S.W.A.M.P., Inc, York, Maine.

This study and report would not have been possible without a generous grant from the Maine State Planning Office Coastal Program and financial support from Maine Audubon members and friends.

Robert R. Bryan, Forest and Wetland Ecologist
Maine Audubon Society
Gilsland Farm Road
PO Box 6009
Falmouth, ME 04105

Executive Summary - Page i

I – Introduction - Page 1

II – Ecology of Scarborough Marsh - Page 3

III – Inventory of Tidal Restrictions - Page 8

IV – Invasive Plants - Page 13

V – Impact of Selected Tidal Restrictions - Page 18

VI – Overall Marsh Assessment - Page 24

VII – Recommendations- Page 29

Glossary - Page 32

Literature Cited - Page 36

Appendix A. Common and Scientific Names of Plants Mentioned in this Report

Appendix B. Protocol for Tidal Restriction Inventory and Assessment

Appendix C. Protocol for Invasive Plant Search

Appendix D. Assessments 1 and 2, Maine Citizens Guide to Evaluating, Restoring, and Managing Tidal Marshes

Figure 1. Scarborough Marsh Ecosystem (image file) - Page 4
Figure 2. Back-barrier, Finger, and Fringe Marshes - Page 6
Figure 3. Location of Tidal Restrictions (image file) - Page 9
Figure 4. Transect Locations (image file) - Page 19
Figure 5. Scarborough Marsh Ecological Evaluation Units (image file) - Page 25

Table 1. Results of Tidal Restrictions Inventory and Assessment - Page 10
Table 2. Approximate Area of Phragmites australis in the Scarborough Marsh Estuary, 1998 - Page 15
Table 3. Impact of Route 1 Tidal Restriction - Page 20
Table 4. Route 1, Transects 4-5; Predominant Plants in Order of Relative Abundance - Page 21
Table 5. Route 1, Transect 6-6A; Predominant Plants in Order of Relative Abundance - Page 21
Table 6. Impact of Eastern Road Tidal Restriction - Page 22
Table 7. Eastern Road, Transect RR 3-3A; Predominant Plants in Order of Relative Abundance - Page 23
Table 8. Summary Data, Ecological Integrity of the Marsh System - Page 26
Table 9. Results of Zone of Influence Ecological Integrity Assessment - Page 28