Browsing by Author "Armitage Chan, Anna"

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RAPID Collaborative Research: Do Mangroves Provide Better Coastal Protection Than Salt Marshes? A Hurricane Harvey Case Study From Port Aransas, Texas, USA
Marine Biology; TAMUG; https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14641/247; National Science Foundation
Coastal marshes provide critical ecosystem services, including erosion prevention and shoreline protection from storm surges that often result when hurricanes make landfall. For several years, vegetation in coastal wetlands has been shifting from grasses and forbs to taller, woody mangroves, raising concerns about the impact these changes may have on these important ecosystem services. Over the past several years, scientists have been conducting a large mangrove removal experiment to study the ecological consequences of mangrove expansion near Port Aransas, Texas. Hurricane Harvey made landfall near this experiment, providing an unprecedented opportunity to study the immediate impacts of mangrove expansion on shoreline protection and other vital ecosystem services. This RAPID award will allow scientists to gain knowledge on the role of coastal wetlands that will be extremely valuable to coastal managers responsible for restoration and management projects along shorelines vulnerable to future hurricanes. This research will provide a critical understanding of the impact of mangrove expansion on the role of coastal wetlands in the provision of critical ecosystem services in response to intense storms. Hurricane Harvey provides a unique opportunity to answer a critical question - do mangroves provide fundamentally different shoreline protection than the low stature grasses and forbs they replace? The researchers conducting this study are using a pre-existing mangrove removal experiment that was in the path of the hurricane to test the hypothesis that large woody plants like mangroves are better able to resist these large storms, and therefore provide improved shoreline protection. This work will also provide a better conceptual understanding to the role of biotic factors in regulating the impact of large storms. This information is of critical importance to land managers responsible for restoring the ecosystem services coastal wetlands can provide.
Restoring coastal wetlands for shorebirds: leveraging lessons learned to identify research priorities and strategies to maximize future success
Marine Biology; TAMUG; https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14641/247; DOC-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Project description. Coastal wetland restoration is a vital coastal management tool, but is often reactive rather than proactive, with new projects initiated as an opportunistic response to the availability of land or funding, or as a compensatory mitigation response. A substantial body of literature has examined various aspects of coastal wetland restoration success, but too often, the resulting recommendations for long-term ecological success are disconnected from restoration practice. This disconnect can be attributable to logistical constraints, differences in project time scales and priorities, and uneven communication between researchers and practitioners. This proposal seeks to continue closing the gap between restoration ecology and practice. Specifically, we will focus on maximizing the success of restoration projects using beneficial uses material to create shorebird habitat. The Salt Bayou ecosystem, part of the Chenier Plains ecoregion, is an ideal focal ecosystem for this project, as it encompasses numerous past, current, and potential future wetland restoration projects. A strategic plan developed in 2013 identified hydrology and elevation as key elements of restoration success, but also acknowledged gaps in our understanding about links between the restoration of wetland geomorphology and ecological success criteria, especially shorebirds. For example, what is the ideal range of elevations for shorebirds, and what elevation will provide the most productive food supply for these birds? Does this elevation range overlap with the waterfowl habitat in the area? What types of elevation profiles (e.g. homogeneous vs. heterogeneous; absolute elevation range) will maximize shorebird use of these habitats, without detracting from the broader goals of creating emergent marsh and waterfowl habitat? New beneficial uses (BU) projects planned over the next five years will employ elevation profiles based on these findings. The project team will (1) leverage past research by synthesizing lessons learned from past projects, and (2) develop a blueprint to guide future research directions and boost the success of future investments. Timeline. Restoration in the Salt Bayou ecosystem is ongoing, with major projects initiated every ~3-5 years. These results will be directly applied to projects initiated between 2023-2025. However, decisions based on recommendations from this and subsequent proposals can be scaled to apply to projects with both near-term and long-term start dates, and will make the outcomes of this synthesis effort relevant for many years, if not decades to come. Approach. In the proposal preparation stage, input on the project plan was solicited from a currently active group of stakeholders (Salt Bayou Workgroup). During the project period, activities will be parsed into two components: (1) Synthesis. Under the supervision of the lead PI, a postdoctoral research associate will conduct (a) a metaanalysis of shorebird use of coastal restoration projects in the region and (b) a literature review (white paper) assessing links between restoration approach, elevation profiles, shorebird use across the Gulf of Mexico. (2) Develop research plan and application plan. In a series of workshops among project investigators and stakeholders, the synthesis findings will shape discussions about future research needs. Following an iterative process, the outcome will be a set of specific research needs and goals that will shape the where, how, and why of future restoration projects. Dissemination activities will include two publications and two conference presentations that will serve to recruit additional stakeholders and share key findings.
Restoring coastal wetlands for shorebirds: leveraging lessons learned to identify research priorities and strategies to maximize future success
Marine Biology; TAMUG; https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14641/247; DOC-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded $122,346 under the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Science, Observation, Monitoring, and Technology cooperative agreement program to Texas A&M University at Galveston to support research titled "Restoring Coastal Wetlands for Shorebirds: Leveraging Lessons Learned to Identify Research Priorities and Strategies to Maximize Future Success." The two-year project beginning September 1, 2021 aims to identify priority research questions and strategies for coastal wetland restoration to benefit shorebird populations. As the implementing organization, Texas A&M University at Galveston will leverage expertise from previous wetlands projects to inform future restoration efforts. The work supports NOAA's broader mission of ensuring long-term Gulf Coast ecosystem sustainability through science-based restoration.