b'UNIQUE COMPARISONSThe ability to compare the dynamics of altered andRather than classifying wetlands by their surface unaltered marsh has drawn a team of researchersstructure, hydrogeomorphic tools categorize them by from the University of Georgia. Ecologist Lori Sutterassessing their topographic location, likely biological is working to determine whether the marshes arefunction, water source and transport, and the strength sources or sinks of nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, totaland direction of flow.nitrogen, orthophosphate, and sediment."Is this HGM methodology useful in Georgia or not?" Meanwhile, Susan Bennett Wilde, an expert in algaeasks Sutter. "Are we able to discern the difference and cyanobacteria, and graduate student Katiebetween altered and reference marshes using it?" Lamp\'l are investigating the ebb and flow of algae during tidal cycles, and exploring how that dynamicIf so, the Corps\' hydrogeomorphic methods can be corresponds to nutrients flowing in and out of theused on an Atlantic barrier island like Little St. Simons marsh on the tides. to assess wetland function based on the indicators a regulator might observe during a field visit. Research professional Wesley Gerrin helps calibrate, operate and troubleshoot a suite of sophisticatedWilde and Lamp\'l hope to better understand the instruments and process massive amounts of data.dynamics of algal blooms in tidal marshes. That Ultimately, they\'re trying to understand the most basicknowledge could help the conservation team at The movements of water and unicellular organisms Lodge on Little St. Simons Island manage the stretch in the system. Sutter hopes to determine whetherof marsh known as Myrtle Pond to minimize the risk nutrients collect in tidal wetlands like Little St. Simonsof harmful algal blooms (HABs) that could threaten as the tides come in. wildlife. It could also guide other land managers inthe region as they face similar challenges.She is also testing whether hydrogeomorphic (HGM) tools used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to identify and manage marshes on the typically calm Gulf Coast can be applied to Georgia\'s Sea Islands, where tides are measured in feet instead of inches. The 11,000-acre island offers huge research opportunities.52 MISSION: WATER'