Figure 2. Growth of Great Barnstable Marsh (Redfield 

 1972). The development of the barrier beach, beginning 

 growth at the edge of the water of intertidal marsh, and 

 eventual succession to high marsh are shown at four time 

 periods since 1300 B.C. MHW indicates mean high water in 

 relation to that in 1950. The marsh has grown both out 

 into the increasingly protected bay, and up to keep pace 

 with the rise in sea level. 



6 



