Chronolog Habitat Monitoring - Time-Lapse Project

Anyone can be a citizen scientist! Use your cell phone to help us document changes across the barrier island environment while you explore Seashore habitats.

 

A Chronolog Habitat Monitoring system has been installed at three different locations on Assateague Island to help document natural coastal processes. This community science project provides an opportunity for park visitors to contribute to a long-term study to better understand how key barrier island habitats and landscapes change over time. Everyone is invited to participate!

 

How it works:

Step 1: Find a monitoring station. When visitors pass a photo point monitoring station, an informational sign will alert them to the opportunity to contribute to this monitoring program.

Step 2: Place your cell phone on the designated mounting bracket and snap a picture of the landscape.

Step 3: Email the photo to Chronolog using the information provided at each station. After the photograph is submitted, participants will receive a brief educational message through email about the unique Assateague Island habitat they captured.

Step 4: Check the website and view a time-lapse series of everyone’s photos. Visitor photos are compiled together into a time-lapse series showing habitat changes throughout all seasons and all different weather conditions.

This citizen science habitat monitoring system will engage thousands of people with nature and technology in a new interactive way and make environmental monitoring a more collaborative community activity.

 

A Citizen Scientist on the Life of the Marsh Trail at Station 101

NPS Photo

Photo Station #101
Life of the Marsh Nature Trail
Coordinates: 38.20558 North, -75.15961 West
Photo Station #101 Time Lapse Link

Coastal salt marsh wetlands are among the world’s most productive and valuable ecosystems. Salt marshes are typically located fringing the backside of Assateague Island and also occur as isolated smaller islands within the adjacent coastal bays estuary. A total of 5,238 acres, or 30% of the total area of Assateague Island has been identified as salt marsh habitat.

Find the photo station along the easternmost section of boardwalk that leads through the saltmarsh. Read more about the Life of the Marsh Trail.

 

Photo Station #102 on the Life of the Forest trail.

NPS Photo

Photo Station #102
Life of the Forest Nature Trail
Coordinates: 38.19869 North, -75.15959 West
Photo Station #102 Time Lapse Link

Forests and shrub communities on barrier islands provide important habitat for terrestrial species and cover approximately 41% of Assateague Island. These woodland areas are sensitive to the frequency and intensity of storm events that lead to saltwater intrusion, blowdown from high winds, and scalding from salt exposure. Barrier island forests are thought to be highly vulnerable and among the first affected by projected sea-level rise.

Find the photo station along the northern spur of the elevated boardwalk that provides a view of the maritime forest. Read more about the Life of the Forest Trail.

 

A Citizen Scientist capturing photos from Station #103.

NPS Photo

Photo Station #103
Life of the Dunes Nature Trail
Coordinates: 38.18596 North, -75.16114 West
Photo Station #103 Time Lapse Link

Dune fields and grassland habitats cover approximately 13% of Assateague Island and serve as a transitional zone, playing a large role in island building, sediment trapping, habitat change and buffering of waves and storm surges. Dune habitats will likely experience increased disturbance from more frequent and intense storm events. Ocean waves and storm surge can significantly disrupt this area of the barrier island and create new overwash habitat.

Find the photo station at the observation platform at the southern point of the nature trail that overlooks the extensive dune and grasslands habitat. Read more about the Life of the Dunes Trail.