Fundy Bay

The Bay of Fundy demonstrator, on the Atlantic coast of Canda, hosting intertidal systems with extensive tidal flats and saltmarshes. This Bay hosts some of the highest tidal ranges in the world and supports internationally important migratory shorebird populations. Historical dyking and tidal barriers have modified many coastal wetlands, but recent restoration initiatives are reopening tidal flows and re-establishing saltmarsh ecosystems.
In REWRITE, this transatlantic demonstrator provides valuable reference sites to study tidal flat productivity, carbon sequestration and habitat connectivity through a high tidal regimes.

Historical trajectories

  • Loss of linkages between coastal ecosystems – primarily salt marshes and mudflats
  • The intertidal habitat is changing rapidly; loss of coastal integrity
  • The frequency and severity of storms is increasing – the physical and ecological implications are far reaching for people and habitats
  • Public understanding of the need and potential for nature-based coastal adaptation solutions is weak
  • Lack of equity/justice in decisions related to ecosystem service supply and nature-based coastal adaptation (e.g., vulnerable populations)

Main objectives

  1. 1
    Monitor tidal flat and saltmarsh ecosystem dynamics
  2. 2
    Assess ecological outcomes of tidal barrier removal and marsh restoration
  3. 3
    Support conservation of habitats for migratory birds and coastal ecosystems

Past, current and future restoration actions

Contact Person

Main contact
Danika Van Proosdij
Main contact
Diana Hamilton
Main contact
Jeff Ollerhead