COASTAL WETLAND ECOLOGY BIOL 471
DR. CAROLYN WEAVER - MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY
Course Description:
This course will investigate the various biotic and abiotic components of coastal wetland ecosystems, with an emphasis on wetland vegetation, hydrology, and biogeochemical processes. Course content will be a mix of fundamental and applied ecology and cover topics such as vegetation succession, hydric soil, nutrient cycling, wetland classification and delineation, restoration and management, invasive species, and wetland loss.
At the completion of the course the student shall be able to:
Marketable Skills Gained from This Course:
General Description of Field Activities:
This course will explore the variety of local coastal wetlands giving students plenty of chances to get wet and muddy while participating in activities such as hiking along vegetation transects, digging soil pits, and surveying wetlands inhabitants.
Approximate Amount of Course Time in the Field:
50%
Prerequisites:
Ecology-based course or environmental science course
Required Textbook or Supplies:
Footwear: Closed-toed shoes that can get wet and muddy (can be wading booties, old sneakers, etc. as long as it is something that will protect your foot if step on anything sharp and is snug enough to not come off in the mud.
Personal laptop, tablet, or any other device that can access the internet and has word processing and presentation making programs.
Recommended:
Tiner, R. W. (2009). Field guide to tidal wetland plants of the Northeastern United States and neighboring Canada: vegetation of beaches, tidal flats, rocky shores, marshes, swamps, and coastal ponds. University of Massachusetts Press.
Long pants and long sleeve shirt that can get wet and muddy (long pants and sleeves help with the insects, sun, and vegetation).
Field notebook
Number of Students:
10-13
2026 Chincoteague Bay Field Station Fee*:
3 week course; housing and meals included
Salicornia; $1,925
Traditional; $1,770
Fees are subject to change at the discretion of the board of directors
* Does not include university tuition or fees. For specific policy on CBFS fees, click HERE.
This course will investigate the various biotic and abiotic components of coastal wetland ecosystems, with an emphasis on wetland vegetation, hydrology, and biogeochemical processes. Course content will be a mix of fundamental and applied ecology and cover topics such as vegetation succession, hydric soil, nutrient cycling, wetland classification and delineation, restoration and management, invasive species, and wetland loss.
At the completion of the course the student shall be able to:
- Understand important biological, physical, chemical, and hydrological processes and their inter-workings within wetland ecosystems
- Categorize and identify wetland plants, soils, and hydrology
- Perform a variety of wetland field techniques
- Define and identify techniques/strategies related to wetland sampling/monitoring and restoration
- Find and critique primary literature related to wetland ecology
- Communicate scientific importance of wetlands
- Acquire a new sense of admiration for wetland ecosystems
Marketable Skills Gained from This Course:
- Wetland delineation and rapid assessment techniques
- Vegetation identification using a dichotomous key
- Field soil color and texture identification
- Vegetation, water, and soil sample collection and data interpretation
- Scientific communication
General Description of Field Activities:
This course will explore the variety of local coastal wetlands giving students plenty of chances to get wet and muddy while participating in activities such as hiking along vegetation transects, digging soil pits, and surveying wetlands inhabitants.
Approximate Amount of Course Time in the Field:
50%
Prerequisites:
Ecology-based course or environmental science course
Required Textbook or Supplies:
Footwear: Closed-toed shoes that can get wet and muddy (can be wading booties, old sneakers, etc. as long as it is something that will protect your foot if step on anything sharp and is snug enough to not come off in the mud.
Personal laptop, tablet, or any other device that can access the internet and has word processing and presentation making programs.
Recommended:
Tiner, R. W. (2009). Field guide to tidal wetland plants of the Northeastern United States and neighboring Canada: vegetation of beaches, tidal flats, rocky shores, marshes, swamps, and coastal ponds. University of Massachusetts Press.
Long pants and long sleeve shirt that can get wet and muddy (long pants and sleeves help with the insects, sun, and vegetation).
Field notebook
Number of Students:
10-13
2026 Chincoteague Bay Field Station Fee*:
3 week course; housing and meals included
Salicornia; $1,925
Traditional; $1,770
Fees are subject to change at the discretion of the board of directors
* Does not include university tuition or fees. For specific policy on CBFS fees, click HERE.
