Brief Explanation of Dr. Atkinson’s Research and Some Ideas: Robby Buck

 Brief Explanation of Dr. Atkinson’s Research and Some Ideas

Dr. Atkinson has been conducting research on the Atlantic white cedar in the Great Dismal Swamp. Through his research, he discovered that data suggests raising the water levels around these trees is crucial. The Atlantic white cedar thrives in acidic, white soil that has low oxygen and nutrient levels. If the water level does not rise, there is a significant risk of a devastating wildfire that could destroy the last remaining Atlantic white cedar ecosystems.

When Atlantic white cedars die, they eventually fall and become engulfed by sphagnum moss, which helps to raise the water table. However, this moss does not decompose; instead, it traps carbon in the wood, which can eventually transform into peat and then coal. Peat consists of undecomposed plant matter and silt, making the soil approximately 50% carbon. If the soil becomes dry, it turns into highly flammable land. Conversely, when water levels rise, it creates a considerable amount of dry organic material that suddenly becomes exposed to oxygen.

To prevent the swamp from drying out and to avoid the risk of large forest fires, a weir must be constructed to elevate the water table. This is essential to prevent potential damages exceeding $30 million, similar to those caused by the recent Great Dismal Swamp fire.

In boreal peatlands, the soil remains highly saturated but is frozen, resulting in a slower rate of decomposition.


Idea One: Release more beavers into the Great Dismal Swamp, particularly near some of the streams. Once released, the beavers will instinctively begin to build dams, which will help raise the water table in various areas of the swamp. This action will contribute to the preservation of more habitat within the Great Dismal Swamp. Additionally, to maintain a balanced predator-prey dynamic, red wolves should be reintroduced to the area. Historically, red wolves inhabited the Great Dismal Swamp, and their presence would help keep the populations of beavers, deer, and other herbivores in check, preventing them from damaging the environment. Furthermore, declaring the swamp a no-hunting and no-logging zone would create an ecological refuge, allowing species to recover and escape human-induced threats.


Idea Two: Convert portions of the lowland farms that were once part of the Great Dismal Swamp back into wetland drainage systems that will naturally filter agricultural pollutants before they reach the rivers. These wetland drainage systems should be populated with animals commonly found in salt, brackish, and freshwater marshes, depending on the salinity levels. To enhance the ecosystem, it is essential to restore at least 2 to 3 meters of land along the stream banks to provide habitat for plants and animals that can help filter out pollutants. This restoration will also allow the streams to meander through the land, shifting their boundaries slightly. In lowland areas adjacent to salt marshes, land should be elevated enough to create shallow water floodplains with various islets to support lowland plant species.

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