Article
Environmental Sciences
Christopher Potter
Summary: The study analyzed Landsat satellite imagery to understand spatial patterns and processes of change in marshland vegetation cover in coastal Louisiana wetlands. Wetland loss of 42.3 km(2) since 2005 was mainly concentrated in the southwestern portion of the study area near Port Fourchon, while recent wetland gain of 34 km(2) was largely attributed to shoreline protection and dredging projects. The study also found a consistent link between wetland loss cells and historical oil and gas wells, indicating ongoing negative impacts of drilling and extraction on marshland degradation.
JOURNAL OF COASTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Fengping Li, Songjie He, Christopher M. Swarzenski
Summary: In this study, a continuous salinity monitoring network was optimized using discrete entropy theory and the MaxT model, involving 71 stations and 5 station types. By testing a dry year and a wet year, it was found that 31 stations formed the core network, with an additional 12 or 14 specific year stations needed to capture salinity information in all five habitats. Fourteen stations could be eliminated without significant information loss under both wet and dry conditions. The results showed that discrete entropy theory and MaxT were effective in identifying redundant information and reducing the number of stations by 20%.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Christopher Craft
Summary: Restoration of tidal marshes has shown positive effects on vertical accretion, organic carbon sequestration, and nitrogen burial. This study compared a natural tidal salt marsh with a hydrologically restored salt marsh in Sapelo Island, Georgia, and found that the restored marsh had higher rates of accretion, carbon sequestration, and nitrogen burial. The restored marsh has been able to compensate for subsidence caused by dike construction, and current sea level rise and accretion rates support the ecosystem functions. However, the ability of the marshes to sequester carbon and bury nitrogen may be challenged with accelerated sea level rise.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hoonshin Jung, William Nuttle, Melissa M. Baustian, Tim Carruthers
Summary: Coastal Louisiana is facing significant wetland loss and implementing a large-scale ecosystem restoration project. One of the major restoration methods is a controlled sediment diversion from the Mississippi River to rebuild and sustain wetlands. The impact of this sediment diversion on nutrient budget in the receiving basin is not well known. A water quality model was developed, showing that the planned diversion will increase TN and TP pools by 38% and 17% respectively, despite TN and TP loadings increasing by over 300%. The model suggests that increased advection transport, assimilation, denitrification, and settling will mitigate the nutrient increase in the basin, helping understand the future ecological conditions in this region.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kerrylee Rogers, Neil Saintilan
Summary: The fate of coastal wetlands and their ecosystem services depends on maintaining substrate elevations influenced by sea-level rise. A study in Australia analyzed a 20-year record of surface elevation change to investigate processes influencing surface elevation adjustment, finding varying contributions of different processes and the linear relationship between vertical accretion and accommodation space. The study also warns against unqualified use of models derived from the northern hemisphere due to differences in substrate adjustment to sea-level rise.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amon Kibiwot Kimeli, Shawlet Cherono, Patience Baya, Margaret Mathinji, Judith Auma Okello, Nico Koedam, Hildegard Westphal, James Gitundu Kairo
Summary: This study measured and examined the variations in surface elevation of mangroves in Kenya. It found that elevation changes varied with distance from the creek channel, with both surface loss and gains recorded. The study also showed that the sediment elevation changes in Vanga are outpacing the current rates of sea-level rise, indicating vulnerability to predicted and accelerated rates.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Melissa M. Baustian, Camille L. Stagg, Carey L. Perry, Leland C. Moss, Tim J. B. Carruthers
Summary: Coastal marshes in Louisiana play a significant role in soil carbon accumulation and burial, affecting the global carbon budget. Saline marshes have lower total carbon density and accumulation rates compared to other marsh habitats. The total carbon burial rate in Louisiana in 2013 was estimated at 4.3 Tg TC yr(-1), with a potential significant impact on the global carbon budget if wetland loss continues.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kelly Elschot, Martin J. Baptist, Marinka E. B. van Puijenbroek
Summary: A global concern for coastal ecosystems is the predicted rise in sea-level for which salt marshes must keep pace. Variables that control this elevation change need to be identified to predict the adaptability of marshes to future sea-level rise. Grazing by livestock can significantly reduce the annual rates of elevation gain and affect the future adaptability of salt marshes to grow vertically for rising sea levels. Trampling by grazing cattle, along with other factors like precipitation deficit and extreme drought, can lead to biocompaction and reduce the total elevation change.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ivan A. Vargas-Lopez, Victor H. Rivera-Monroy, John W. Day, Julie Whitbeck, Kanchan Maiti, Christopher J. Madden, Armando Trasvina-Castro
Summary: This study utilized continuous in situ chlorophyll-a measurements and satellite data to develop an algorithm for mapping chlorophyll-a distribution, assessing the impact of freshwater diversions and high nutrient loading in the Barataria Basin complex. The continuous in situ chlorophyll-a values were found to be highly correlated with field measurements, demonstrating the utility of this approach for assessing water quality conditions at large spatial scales in dynamic deltaic regions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Todd R. Speakman, Lynsey A. Wilcox, Brian C. Balmer, Kevin P. Barry, Corinne Paterson, Brian M. Quigley, Lori H. Schwacke, Carrie Sinclair, Ryan Takeshita, Nicole L. Vollmer, Eric S. Zolman, Patricia E. Rosel
Summary: This study aims to understand the social and genetic structure of common bottlenose dolphins in the Barataria Bay Estuarine System. Through photo-identification data analysis and genetic analyses, four distinct social clusters and three genetic clusters were identified. The dolphins in the Barataria Basin were found to be genetically different from those in adjacent coastal waters.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Camille L. Stagg, Courtney Creamer, Claudia Laurenzano, Eric J. Ward, Mark P. Waldrop, Melissa M. Baustian, Tiong Aw, Sergio Merino, Rachel Villani, Laura Scott
Summary: Coastal wetlands have high potential for carbon sequestration, but excessive flooding can lead to wetland loss and potential soil carbon loss. Research shows that soil carbon losses following wetland submergence occur over long periods of time rather than immediately.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Mike Blum, David Rahn, Bruce Frederick, Sara Moron Polanco
Summary: The Mississippi River Delta in coastal Louisiana has experienced significant land loss due to disrupted sediment supply and global sea-level rise. Between 1932 and 2016, the coast has lost -5000 km2 of land at a rate of -57 km2 per year. The magnitude and distribution of land loss can be attributed to subsidence, reduced sediment input, and accelerated sea-level rise.
GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sibel Bargu, Brady Skaggs, Monique Boudreaux, Courtney N. Hammond, Callie Snow, Tiong Gim Aw, Richard Stumpf
Summary: Recent studies have found frequent harmful cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Pontchartrain Estuary, Louisiana. The opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway (BCS) twice in 2019 created a fresh and nutrient-rich estuary, supporting cyanoHABs during and after closure. Biomass ranged from 35 to 4972 μg PC L-1 and toxin microcystin ranged from undetected to 8.41 μg MC L-1. CyanoHABs mainly occurred in the northern part of the estuary, influenced by tributary discharge. Some blooms were transported to the Gulf of Mexico. Changes in river diversion operations may intensify cyanobacterial blooms and pose environmental and public health risks, especially due to climate change.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Brian M. Quigley, Todd R. Speakman, Brian C. Balmer, Hollis M. Europe, Antoinette M. Gorgone, Teri K. Rowles, Carrie Sinclair, Eric S. Zolman, Lori H. Schwacke
Summary: Dolphins use various techniques to detect and capture prey, including a previously undescribed behavior called "drill feeding". They can hunt independently or in groups, and exhibit different hunting techniques and cooperative interactions with other species.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Francisco J. Artigas, Joseph Grzyb, Ying Yao
Summary: The wetlands of the Meadowlands in New Jersey are at risk of being submerged due to accelerated sea level rise, which may lead to the disappearance of high marsh habitats. This study demonstrates that the rate of increase in surface elevation is insufficient to keep up with the predicted sea level rise, highlighting the need for conservation and mitigation efforts to protect these valuable ecosystems.
WETLANDS ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Ken W. Krauss, Jordan G. Barr, Vic Engel, Jose D. Fuentes, Hongqing Wang
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2015)
Article
Plant Sciences
David A. White, Jenneke M. Visser
Article
Ecology
Rifat Quamrul Alam, Barbara C. Benson, Jenneke M. Visser, Daniel D. Gang
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2016)
Article
Ecology
Jiang Jiang, Donald L. DeAngelis, Su-Yean Teh, Ken W. Krauss, Hongqing Wang, Haidong Li, Thomas J. Smith, Hock-Lye Koh
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2016)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Natalie S. Peyronnin, Rex H. Caffey, James H. Cowan, Dubravko Justic, Alexander S. Kolker, Shirley B. Laska, Alex McCorquodale, Earl Melancon, John A. Nyman, Robert R. Twilley, Jenneke M. Visser, John R. White, James G. Wilkins
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jenneke M. Visser, Scott M. Duke-Sylvester
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicholas M. Enwright, Lei Wang, Hongqing Wang, Michael J. Osland, Laura C. Feher, Sinead M. Borchert, Richard H. Day
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hongqing Wang, Ken W. Krauss, Gregory B. Noe, Camille Stagg, Christopher M. Swarzenski, Jamie A. Duberstein, William H. Conner, Donald L. Deangelis
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicholas M. Enwright, Lei Wang, P. Soupy Dalyander, Hongqing Wang, Michael J. Osland, Rangley C. Mickey, Robert L. Jenkins, Elizabeth S. Godsey
Summary: Barrier islands are dynamic environments that undergo both gradual and rapid changes. Understanding habitat changes is crucial for natural resource managers. This study demonstrates the use of change component analysis in monitoring and quantifying barrier island habitat change and migration.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Hongqing Wang, Zhaohua Dai, Carl C. Trettin, Ken W. Krauss, Gregory B. Noe, Andrew J. Burton, Camille L. Stagg, Eric J. Ward
Summary: Tidal freshwater forested wetlands play a critical role in providing habitat for wildlife and sequestering carbon dioxide. However, the impacts of climate change, specifically saltwater intrusion caused by drought, can significantly affect carbon dynamics in these ecosystems.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Nan Wang, Qin Chen, Ling Zhu, Hongqing Wang
Summary: This study investigates the wave characteristics around constructed oyster reefs (CORs) in upper Delaware Bay and develops soft computing-based models to predict long-term wave characteristics. The results show that CORs can significantly attenuate wave energy and height, which is significant for protecting coastal ecosystems.
Article
Ecology
Hongqing Wang, Gregg A. Snedden, Ellen K. Hartig, Qin Chen
Summary: Salt marshes in New York City's Jamaica Bay have been experiencing disappearing and deteriorating since the early 1900s, resulting in the loss of long-term carbon storage. This study investigates the spatial variations and mechanisms behind vertical accretion and soil organic carbon sequestration in this highly urbanized estuary. The findings show moderate spatial variability in long-term vertical accretion rates, primarily driven by variations in sedimentation. While organic matter accumulation is significantly correlated with vertical accretion, its role has been declining, leading to lower SOC sequestration rates compared to the global average.
Article
Engineering, Ocean
Nan Wang, Qin Chen, Hongqing Wang, William D. Capurso, Lukasz M. Niemoczynski, Ling Zhu, Gregg A. Snedden
Summary: This paper introduces a novel framework that utilizes scientific machine learning methods to accurately and rapidly predict the long-term hydrodynamic forcing impacting living shorelines based on short-term measurements of water levels and wind waves. The study focuses on predicting wave energy spectra in shallow water using winds and tides as input features and short-term measurements of wave spectra and water depths as labels. The developed LSTM models accurately predict wave heights, peak periods, and energy spectra around the living shorelines, capturing complex wave dynamics. The findings provide valuable insights into the efficacy of living shorelines in attenuating wave energy and demonstrate the utility of this approach in assessing the effectiveness of such structures.
APPLIED OCEAN RESEARCH
(2023)