Saints Rest Marsh - an Earthcache
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Geologically, salt marshes like Saints Rest form in protected sea bays associated with rivers. They develop best in sheltered areas on soft-bottomed tidal mud flats where fine sediments have accumulated in thick layers. Northward, an abundant supply of sediment is easily eroded from the soft red sandstone, siltstone and shales that rim the upper Bay of Fundy.
The salt marsh located at the Irving Nature Park is a type of marsh that is a transitional intertidal area between land and salty or brakish water. Historically salt marshes have been treated as wastelands, along with other wetlands. However they are one of the most biologically productive habitats on the planet. Daily tidal surges bring in nutrients which settle in the roots of the plants. The natural chemical activity of salty water and the tendency of algae to bloom in the shallow unshaded water also allow for great biodiversity. The Irving Nature Park is a 600 acre (243 hectare) site, created by J.D. Irving Limited to help protect an environmentally significant, endangered area. It sits on a peninsula of volcanic rock which was laid down about 300 million years ago and, as well as a salt marsh, it also compromises mud flats, bog, beach, and forest. The abundant rich food sources found in the salt marsh and the sea attract numerous species of migratory and marine birds. More than 350 species of birds have been seen here during migration periods. The Marsh, about 20 acres (or 8.1 hectares), was acquired in 1996 by donation from a Saint John resident. Responsibility for the Marsh is shared between the Irving Nature Park and the New Brunswick Nature Trust. It is situated next to Irving’s Taylor Island Nature Park and across the Bay from the Nature Trust Manawagonish Island Preserve. The tidal marsh is associated with Manawagonish Creek and is close to industrial areas. It is subject to the frigid water temperature (5 degrees C) and the enormous sweep of tides that range up to 28 feet, characteristic of the Bay of Fundy. This site is close to sea level but contains some low (less than 5 meters), abrupt ridges. The climate is typical of the Maritimes with frequent fog, mild winters and cool summers. The vegetation is typical of salt marshes with many tussocks of salt-water Cord-grass, Spartina alterniflora, and sea lavender, separated by saltwater pools giving micro-habitats. Saints Rest Marsh has a complicated history. It was dyked some time between 1786 and 1864 and was managed mainly for pasture and hay production. Barns were constructed, roads traversed it and forestry and gravel extraction occurred in the adjacent upland and beach. Sometime prior to World War II the Marsh was greatly modified as a military shooting range. Subsequent abandonment in the 1950’s resulted in the dyke falling in to disrepair and eventually being breached. Now the largest salt marsh in Saint John, Saints Rest is part of the Irving Nature Park and is a natural laboratory in which to study the process of recovery in salt marshes after tidal restriction, and other disturbances. Salt marshes are important parts of our ecosystem. They protect the shore from extreme weather, provide a habitat for a wide variety of plants, animals and birds, act as a nursery habitat. Salt marshes act as filters, removing many pollutants found in surface and ground water. The removed pollutants are then stored within the accumulating peat of the marsh. As well they rival rainforests in the ability to convert CO2 to reduced forms to form the basis of the food web that supports uncountable species of aquatic life. As well salt marshes can be easily destroyed. Over half of the nation's people now live and work within coastal counties and the impact of these people is significant. As well subtle impacts which affect salt marshes include water flow modifications, building and pollution. Ditching and dyking alters water flow. Building canals for flood control increases surface water levels which stresses and kills marsh grass. Non-point source pollution resulting from land runoff from diverse locations such as bridges, roads (petroleum products from cars) and air (industrial output) and from farms and lawns (pesticides and fertilizers) is difficult to control. All these can negatively affect marshes. Park at N 45.13.431, W 066.07.663. The posted coordinates will take you to the end of the boardwalk onto the Marsh. To log this earth cache you must: 1. In your log, post a picture of yourself and your GPS (or your hand and your GPS!) with the marsh in the background. You should be positioned so that the blue Saint John water tower or the Tourist Bureau is in the background. 2. In an email to us: - Estimate the height of the water in the marsh at the time of your visit. - Note whether there is a water current, and what direction it is flowing. - Name one ecological benefit of a salt marsh. In your email, please include the name of the earthcache and the number of people in your group. Do not answer the questions in your log, but do tell us why you enjoyed your visit to the salt marsh, so that others might have the same experience. You must answer the questions or your log will be deleted. Although photos are optional, it is always nice to take and post photos so that other cachers can appreciate what you have enjoyed at this earthcache. First to Find: ynds, SweetThing and #1camokid
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(Decrypt)
Rawbl gur znefu, naq qba'g sbetrg gb oevat lbhe pnzren!