This study investigates how intertidal Spartina alterniflora terrestrial arthropods community diversity changes with zonation from the terrestrial saltmarsh edge to the aquatic edge. There will be three 10-meter transects at both sites (Butterbean Beach and Priest Landing) running parallel to the water line: one in the middle of the Spartina patch, one on the higher edge of the patch as it transitions into a terrestrial habitat, and one on the lower edge of the Spartina patch which transitions into an aquatic habitat. Specimens will be sampled along these transects twice using sweep-nets at low tide, and weather conditions (temperature, clouds, wind) will be measured to try and keep conditions consistent between samples. The specimens will be used to measure species richness, abundance, and diversity between transects and sites.
