Introduction: A typical day paddling through the Altamaha River salt marsh
Experience a virtual paddling tour of the salt marsh at the far reaches of the Altamaha River watershed. As you make your way through the marsh, learn about its ecology and its vulnerability to human impacts.

I. What is a Salt Marsh?

II. Major Concepts

      A. Climate
               i. Definition
               ii. Temperature and rainfall
               iii. Activities

      B. Geology
               i. Definition
               ii. Description for salt marsh
               iii. Activities

      C. Hydrology
               i. Definition
               ii. Description for salt marsh
               iii. Tidal considerations
               iv. Activities

      D. Geomorphology
               i. Definition
               ii. Cross-section of salt marsh
               iii. Succession in a salt marsh
               iv. Activities

      E. Ecological Habitats
               i. Aquatic Habitat
                  a. Definition
                  b. Variation in water height, salinity, and temperature
                  c. Marsh is partly submerged
                  d. Life cycles of organisms
                  e. Activities

              ii. Intertidal Habitat
                  a. Definition
                  b. Vegetated marsh, mud flats, bare creeks and channels
                  c. Food web
                  d. Species ranges with respect to salinity
                  e. Activities

              iii. Upland Habitat
                  a. Definition
                  b. Vegetative description
                  c. Activities

              iv. Beach and Dune Habitat
                  a. Description (geology, functional relationship within estuary)                
                  b. Vegetation
                  c. Niches for feeding and nesting
                  d. Activities

      F. Animals and Plants
               i. Natural histories and life cycles of selected species
               ii. Special interest stories
               iii. Lists of common and rare species
               iv. Activities

      G. Ecological Processes
               i. Definitions
               ii. Primary production and decomposition
               iii. Herbivory, Carnivory, Omnivory
               iv. Recycling of organic matter and nutrients
               v. Activities

      H. Socioeconomic Values of the Estuary

      I. Effects of Human Impacts and Pollution
               i. Direct
               ii. Indirect

      J. Managements Issues - Salt Marsh
               i. Local waste disposal, effluents
               ii. Ferry and associated car parking
               iii. Boat Traffic
               iv. Effects of introduced species on Sapelo Island
               v. Harvesting and controlled burning of timber on Sapelo Island
               vi. Activities

III. Related Service-Learning Projects