Simply Science

This common stonefly has a very
low tolerance for pollution, so finding
one is an indication of good water quality.

Most folks don't know what diatoms are, or the role they play in climate change. The average person does not know that samples from a sediment core can tell us how many times throughout history the Bay had too little oxygen to support fish, or that you can measure the health of a wetland by the presence of certain bugs.

Healthy vernal pools can be identified by the presence of
wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) and spotted salamanders.
This is an egg mass of wood frogs found in a vernal pool
in the Arcadia Management Area in Exeter RI.

This blog is intended to explain how any why scientists measure the things they do. We will be meeting with researchers, watershed organizations and scientists throughout the Narragansett Bay Region who are studying the natural environment and how it changes over time in the face of human intervention and climate change. By conducting sound science, we are able to make informed decisions about development, restoration and management of our natural environment.
We hope this blog will help citizens understand the science behind the decisions made by local, state and federal organizations with regards to protecting and preserving the natural environment.