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Hoskins lecture: Coastal Citizens - a Brief Primer of the Goergia Coast
The document provides an overview of Georgia's coastal ecosystems, highlighting the significance of subtropical barrier islands, beaches, and marshes for biodiversity and habitat stability. It discusses the dynamic nature of coastal landscapes shaped by natural processes and human activities, as well as the importance of ecosystem services provided by marshes and tidal creeks. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for conservation efforts, exemplified by a restoration project in the Delaware estuary aimed at enhancing ecosystem functionality.
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Similar to Hoskins lecture: Coastal Citizens - a Brief Primer of the Goergia Coast
Hoskins lecture: Coastal Citizens - a Brief Primer of the Goergia Coast
- 1. CCooaassttaall CCiittiizzeennsshhiipp:: AA BBrriieeff PPrriimmeerr oonn tthhee GGeeoorrggiiaa CCooaasstt Dionne Hoskins NOAA Sponsored Programs NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center Savannah State University Distinguished Lecture Series Fall 2014
- 2. Georgia Coast 12subtropical barrier islands 2-7ft tidal range (mesotidal) Many undeveloped Wassaw, Blackbeard, Ossabaw, Little Tybee Less developed Little Saint Simons, Sapelo, Cumberland, Little Cumberland (private) Developed Tybee, Jekyll, St. Simons, Sea Island
- 3. Among the mostextensive on Atlantic coast Maintain barrier island stability Store precipitation in the surface water table Habitat for rare species Stabilize mineral cycling through growth and decomposition 11.. MMaarriittiimmee FFoorreessttss
- 4. Beaches are windy,dynamic environments with irregular water currents and are fairly difficult habitat for most plants and shore life. 22.. BBeeaacchheess More life here More life back here Not so much here
- 5. We are enamoredwith this premium part of our environment and try to manage it. Sea level rise? From Bertness 1999 Post Hurricane Ike, from USCG Galveston
- 6. The shapes ofbarrier islands are constantly changing. N→S currents erode northern ends and move soft sediment to landward southern ends. Accretion occurs on southern ends and promotes marsh development. From Bertness 1999 3. NNaattuurraall FFoorrcceess CChhaannggee CCooaassttaall LLaannddssccaappeess
- 7. Marshes have 3Dstructure that provides spawning, nursery, refuge, and foraging grounds for fisheries species and storm protection for shorelines. Coastal landscape structure affects natural processes and ecosystem services. 44.. MMaarrsshheess
- 8. 5. Fresh aannddttiiddaall ccooaassttaall wwaatteerr fflloowwss ((hhyyddrroollooggiicc cchhaarraacctteerriissttiiccss)) ddeeffiinnee ttiiddaall mmaarrsshheess Hydrologic characteristics define tidal marshes – freshwater flows from coastal watersheds and saline ocean tides Courtesy of R. Kneib 2003
- 9. There is repetitionin natural patterns of how water shapes coastal areas. Courtesy of R. Kneib 2003
- 10. TTiiddaall ccrreeeekk ssuubbssyysstteemm You see it at multiple scales -system -river -tidal creek Water brings nutrients into the system that increase primary productivity.
- 11. Structure ooff ccrreeeekkssuubb--ssuubb--ssyysstteemm
- 12. Across all habitats(i.e., forests, wetlands), ecosystem services are fundamental life-support processes upon which all organisms depend (Daily et al., 1997). Among other things, they produce ecosystem goods (ex. food, timber) generate and maintain biodiversity stabilize climate and life (ex. storms) mitigate floods and droughts and provide aesthetic beauty and intellectual and spiritual stimulation. 6. NNaattuurraall hhaabbiittaattss pprroovviiddee eeccoossyysstteemm sseerrvviicceess
- 13. LLaannddssccaappee ccoommpplleexxiittyy aannddffiisshheerriieess–– TThhee TThhrreesshhoolldd CCoonncceepptt In marsh Kneib 2003 Marsh nekton sampling using a flume weir. When assessing secondary production (animal biomass), we find that marsh habitat has a threshold (Kneib 1991) after which energy moves to the water. the edge The amount of intertidal marsh within a 200m radius of the sample site.
- 14. (Kneib 2002) Thisconcept is called a “trophic relay.” Transfers to open estuarine waters may occur when material is either excreted in subtidally at low tide or when accumulated biomass is passed along via predator-prey interactions. This moves marsh production across the landscape. Destroy marsh- decrease productivity.
- 15. http://www.pseg.com Public ServiceElectric and Gas Company (PSE&G, New Jersey) Estuarine Enhancement Program In a mitigation project, PSEG embarked on an unprecedented effort to help restore a portion of the Delaware Estuary by establishing the Estuary Enhancement Program (EEP) in 1994. This is an example of applying what we know about the structure and function of marshes to restore ecosystem services. Problem: Diked marsh system with invasive plants and low productivity
- 16. Goal: To restoreecosystem functionality of a portion of the Delaware Estuary •Returned diked salt hay farms (10,000 acres) to communication with Delaware Bay (water → nutrients) •Recover Phragmites-dominated sites to native species •Constructed fish ladders for river herring •Began biological monitoring •Construction of public use facilities and enhancements •Support for artificial reef programs in New Jersey and Delaware
- 17. The Trophic Relay concept applied Restoring primary production restored habitat for fauna and increased fisheries. 1997 2008
- 18. They restored communicationin the creek system.
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- 20. Management Applying sciencefor coastal conservation Science Coastal landscape ecology and natural forces Policy/Politics Consequences of the socio-political environment Culture Uniqueness of island and coastal environments 7. Several FFaaccttoorrss AAffffeecctt CCooaassttaall EEnnvviirroonnmmeennttss
- 21. Georgia’s coastal zoneis shaped by two major forces ◦ The power of water currents – which environmental science can help to understand ◦ The power of currency – over which science has little or no influence
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