Research
Current Projects that are Underway Include...
1. Beaufort Sea Alaska, The Beaufort Lagoon Ecosystems LTER (Cycle II) (2023-2028).
The second cycle of this exceptional multi-disciplinary project incorporates ecological, biological, physical, and chemical components of the first coastal LTER in the Arctic. The program is focused on the lagoon systems spanning across the Beaufort Sea coast. I am the Project Leader with co-team lead Jim McClelland, now at MBL at Woods Hole. Funding Source: National Science Foundation (NSF). Renewal funded! Post- doctoral and Graduate Student Leads: Dr. Sabrina Heiser and Mathea Kurtz-Shaw. Research Leads: Dr. Nathan McTigue and Kaylie Plumb
For more information see:
https://ble.lternet.edu; https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=191300&org=NSF&from=news.
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2. Beaufort Sea, Alaska (with Vanessa von Biela, USGS): Disturbance Driven Trophic Level Effects on Red-throated Loon Productivity in the Central Beaufort Sea (2020-2025).
Kelp presence is a primary biological habitat and attribute of interest in the central Beaufort Sea. The fishes of these unique habitats may serve as a refuge for many species that are important in loon diets. Stable isotopic ratios of carbon and nitrogen of loons and their prey may provide some greater insight into the importance of the Stefansson Sound kelp bed community. Funding Source: U.S. Geological Survey.
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3. Beaufort Sea, Alaska: Arctic Kelp Communities in the Beaufort Sea: Sentinels of Long-Term Change (2020-2026).
This project includes both open water and through-ice work. Funding source: Department of the Interior (BOEM).
For more information see:
http://arcticstudies.org/boulderpatch/
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4. Southwestern Gulf Coast, Texas: Landscape Monitoring and Biological Indicators for Seagrass Conservation in Texas coastal Waters (2011-2026).
Our lab is directing the implementation of a state-wide seagrass monitoring program based on analyses of the water column and seagrass condition criteria specific to the major estuarine lagoon systems in Texas. Funding sources: Mission-Aransas NERR, NPS (National Park Service), Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, and the Texas General Land Office Coastal Management Program (GLO CMP). Graduate Student Leads: Kyle Capistrant-Fossa and Sofia Armada Tapia.
For more information see:
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5. South Texas Gulf Coast (with UT Advanced Research Lab): Development of Acoustical Remote Sensing Techniques for Ecosystem Monitoring of a Seagrass Meadow (2020-2026).
This research focuses on the design and testing of a system capable of long-term field deployment that uses sound to monitor seagrass biomass and productivity with significantly improved temporal resolution compared to traditional techniques. Our component employs dissolved oxygen measurements to estimate seagrass photosynthesis in relation to underwater irradiance. Funding sources: National Science Foundation (NSF) and a GLO Project of Special Merit. Graduate Student Lead: Kyle Capistrant-Fossa
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6. South Texas Gulf Coast: Use of Historical Data to Assess Climate Change Effects on Marsh Vegetation: Nueces Delta (2020-2026).
The overarching goal of this work is to quantify the impacts of climatic drivers, namely drought and sea level rise, on the ecological integrity of the Nueces Delta. We will use a two-phase approach, focused on data exploration and mining and related field sampling (Task 2). The second year will involve mapping, data synthesis, analysis and outreach/education. Overall, this project contributes to our understanding of the quantitative relationships between the physical and biotic parameters that ultimately control marsh health, carbon burial, and resilience under climate change scenarios. Funding source: Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program (CBBEP). Graduate Student Leads: Berit Batterton and Maggie McLaughlin
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7. South Texas Gulf Coast (with UT Advanced Research Lab): Acoustic Methods for mCDR based on Blue Carbon Burial in Seagrass Meadows (2025-2028).
The proposed concept utilizes passive acoustic measurements (PAM) to monitor Net Ecosystem Production and marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) over timescales exceeding one year with high temporal resolution. The method detects the acoustic signature of bubbles that are released from seagrass leaves when the surrounding water is supersaturated with oxygen. The sound of gas ebullition is a dominant feature of the soundscape, and it can be detected and classified using machine learning-based signal processing techniques. Funding sources: ARPA-e, Department of Energy. Graduate Student Lead (summer 2025): Hannah Januszka
8. South Texas Gulf Coast: New Seagrass Surveys of Post Construction Survey Site to Determine Recovery and Site Restoration Conditions (2025-2026).
This proposal serves to examine long-term impacts to seagrasses and the success of seagrass mitigation projects from construction activities. Our work focuses on the monitoring of seagrasses directly south of the La Quinta channel in Corpus Christi Bay. The objectives are threefold: 1) to map the spatial patterns in seagrass distribution using GPS; 2) to map seabed elevation on 0.5-foot contours and assess sediment properties as an additional GIS layer, and.3) determine seagrass abundance, density, cover and species frequency on six pre-selected transects. Funding sources: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Graduate Student Lead: Anastasia Canu
9. Texas Gulf Coast: A Coastwide High Resolution Seagrass Map for Texas (2025-2027)
The Seagrass Conservation Plan for Texas and subsequent decadal review identified coastwide mapping/monitoring as high-priority management goals since the last mapping effort occurred in 2004/2007. In conjunction with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and to address reported and published reports of seagrass loss, our lab is directing the implementation of a state-wide seagrass “Tier 1” mapping program based on our long-term “Tier 2” rapid assessment program. Recent research has demonstrated the broad applicability of commercial satellites (e.g., WorldView, Planet) to map seagrass meadows across ecosystems, including Texas. Funding sources: Texas General Land Office Coastal Management Program (GLO CMP) and the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program. In kind support: Mission-Aransas NERR. Post-doctoral Lead: TBA