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1.  Phragmites is one of the tallest grasses in the marsh and is typically farthest away from the creek waters. It has a flag-like inflorescence (flower head) that waves in the breeze. It is considered to be an invasive plant. What is meant by the term invasive, and is that good or bad?

This organism out-competes others in its area and therefore becomes the predominant organism. This is bad. This plant can reduce the plant diversity, which is needed for a healthy marsh ecosystem here. When there are a variety of plants in an area, there will be different seeds and different types of plant arrangements, which offer more options to those who depend on the resources in this marsh. The chemistry of the soil is enhanced when there are different kinds of plants contributing to its makeup when they die. 

2.  Salt marshes are spoken of as good carbon sinks. A carbon sink is a place where carbon stays for a long period of time. How is carbon detained in salt marshes? 

A large amount of carbon dioxide is taken from the air through photosynthesis taking place in the marsh grasses. The carbon becomes part of the plant structures. As plants die, they become part of the marsh mud, where their carbon sticks to the mud particles and is buried over time.  As decomposers and others in the mud work on dead material, they obtain the plant carbon and use it for their living needs.

3.  Why do you think it is good for carbon to be detained in marshes?

This helps to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which is considered to be a prominent player in global climate change.

4.  Tidal marshes like those at Windsor Castle Park contribute many benefits to their surrounding areas. Besides retaining carbon, how many different benefits can you name and describe?

• Marshes provide a buffer for storm surge and they mitigate wave action by stopping the forceful action of the moving water and slowing it down, causing less damage to the surrounding soil.
• Marshes are sometimes considered as sponges. Since they occupy low-lying areas, water from rains will accumulate in them, especially during large storm events.  This helps to control strong water flows and prevent erosion.
• Marshes provide a habitat and nursery for many species of fish. Besides resident fish that are here year round, these creeks provide a safe and obscure place for developing juvenile fish.
• Because of the abundance of food and secluded areas that marshes provide, migrating water fowl come here to rest and feed on their journeys.
• Because of the large amount of marsh grasses, large amounts of oxygen are produced.
• Marshes provide a means of removing pollutants from the water such as herbicides, pesticides, and heavy metals.  These bind to particles in the mud and when buried, they are removed from circulation.

5.  The tidal marsh grass found closest to the water’s edge along the creeks bordering the park is Smooth Salt Marsh Cordgrass.  It is shorter than some of the other grasses. Why do you think it grows closest to the shoreline?

Smooth Salt Marsh Cordgrass is very salt tolerant.  The high tide brings in salty water that surrounds these plants near the shoreline.

6.  Big cord grass and phragmites are the tallest grasses found in the marsh and they are usually found farther from the creek shoreline.  Why do you think these are found farther out into the marsh, near the margins?

They are not as salt tolerant as the smooth cord grass.  Phragmites in particular are also found in the fresh water marsh, since they are less salt tolerant.

7.  What are some of the challenges that plants face living in a tidal salt marsh?

Tidal rise and fall; being submerged and then drained; full exposure to the sun all day; saltiness of the water fluctuates with the tides; have to handle large storm events which bring in large amounts of water quickly.

8.  Living in a salty environment can present problems in obtaining fresh water for living, especially if one cannot move around. Why do plants here need fresh water and how do they obtain it?

All plants need fresh water for their life needs. To obtain this, cord grasses can obtain fresh water from salt water by separating the salt out, and expelling it on its leaves.  If their root systems are able to access ground water, they will obtain fresh water that way, as well as from precipitation.

9.  How do cord grasses obtain the oxygen they need for their roots when they experience high tide?

Cord grasses are able to pass oxygen from their leaves to their roots through tubes.  Therefore root cells can obtain what they need even when submerged for long periods of time.  The root system of the grass is very extensive and tenacious.

10.  There are many animals that make their home in the salt water marsh at Windsor Castle Park.  Which of the following have you seen and why might they live here?

• Mammals.  River otters, beaver, and muskrats may live entirely within a salt water marsh.  Others such as deer, rabbits, mink, and raccoons utilize the resources, food, shelter, and water provided by the marsh.
• Crustaceans.  Fiddler crabs, shrimp, crabs, barnacles, and snails inhabit salt water marshes.
• Mollusks that inhabit salt water marshes are oysters, clams, and mussels.
• Some nesting birds that live in the marsh are Virginia rails, red winged blackbirds, and wrens.  Some other birds that feed in the marsh are herons, ospreys, eagles, and egrets.
• Waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and swans nest and feed in the marsh. ​