Partners across the northeast, within the breeding range of the saltmarsh sparrow, have beencollaborating since 2010 to produce and coordinate the implementation of regional applied science…

Partners across the northeast, within the breeding range of the saltmarsh sparrow, have beencollaborating since 2010 to produce and coordinate the implementation of regional applied science forsaltmarsh sparrows and other tidal marsh specialist species. Saltmarsh sparrows are small, groundnestingbirds that have declined substantially since 2011 and without intervention are predicted to goextinct by 2050. The causes of extinction are largely due to increased nest flooding during extreme hightide events exacerbated by sea level rise. Saltmarsh restoration efforts to support saltmarsh sparrowand protect the important ecosystem services provided by coastal marshes have increased significantlyover the past five years. Current restoration techniques include sediment placement, tidal restrictionmitigation, hydrological restoration, and vegetation planting. In order to understand how theserestoration approaches impact saltmarsh sparrow populations and the larger tidal marsh birdcommunity, IT is vital to monitor before, during, and after restoration implementation occurs to fullymeasure avian response to restoration efforts. Our work will contribute to nfwf program priorities byproviding prerestoration monitoring at previously identified sites in the northeast and by identifyingsaltmarsh sparrow productivity areas using the saltmarsh habitat avian research program (sharpwww.tidalmarshbirds.ORG). Implementing the sharp rapid assessment protocol at a suite of sites indelaware BAY will also increase the scientific capacity to monitor the current site condition and comparethese metrics to reference areas.