The report concludes that throughout this region the health of these ponds is threatened by air pollution, exotic species, pathogens, jetty construction, excessive pond uses, and excess nitrogen from septic systems, sewage treatment plants, fertilizers, and other sources. Research showed that Tisbury Great Pond and the upper reaches of Long Cove Pond become unhealthy during the summer growing season. The watershed of Big Homer’s Pond, however, is relatively free of development and exhibits high water clarity and low phytoplankton levels throughout the summer.

“We hope the report will educate the public about the coastal salt ponds and show how people can help to protect them,” says Islands Regional Ecologist Lloyd Raleigh. “The Trustees encourages landowners to protect their land within salt water pond watersheds to ensure the ponds’ water quality, to provide habitat for uncommon native wildlife species, and to maintain open land.”

According to Raleigh, the salt ponds of Martha’s Vineyard are an immeasurable resource for Islanders. Tisbury Great Pond provides a large supply of oysters and offers outstanding recreation opportunities, including boating, sunbathing, and swimming. At the same time, the ponds provide habitat for rare species and a large diversity of plants and animals, such as river otter, fish, and crabs.

Conducted in 2000, the study investigates the relationships between the coastal salt ponds’ physical conditions and the patterns of plants and animals found living within these unique aquatic systems. Seventeen sampling stations were established in the coastal salt ponds surrounding Long Point. Staff ecologists and volunteers walked miles of pond shorelines, went scuba diving, set fish traps, took bottom samples, and sorted through 100-year-old documents in the Dukes County Historical Society and in universities and government organizations around the state.