MSI: Mangrove Mazes in Hungry Bay

Today, the MSI interns laid 10x10 meter quadrants in three different locations around Hungry Bay and deployed six leaf-litter traps in each quadrant with the assistance of Dr. Robbie Smith. Within all three quadrants, they tagged, located and measured the diameter of each red or black mangrove tree, collecting data that will be incorporated into a project supported by the Bermuda Natural Museum and Zoo.

Weaving through a web of mangroves, the interns witnessed first-hand the effects of rising sea levels on mangroves and the devastation these effects engender, affecting surrounding aquatic and terrestrial life.


One of the interns, Khalil, remarked that, "today was a wonderful day full of muddy magic, nearly lost shoes, and bugs - lots and lots of bugs. We went hiking today through the mangrove forests at Hungry Bay. It was a fun walk, but I'll need to take a very long shower after this."

Liam's, "favorite part of the day was when, in between recording data and setting leaf litter traps at the different sites, we found ourselves up to our shoulders (or farther) in streams which were woven into the swamp."

Taylor, another intern, said that, "today was truly a new experience for me. I have gone on hikes before, but never ones that involved swimming, hiking through the mud, and even doing some science at the same time."