VIMS Events
This calendar presented by
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
[PAST EVENT] Salt marshes in an era of accelerated sea level rise: Caught between a condo and the rising tide
April 18, 2014
3pm - 4:30pm
Location
VIMS - Watermen's Hall, McHugh Auditorium1375 Greate Road
Gloucester Point, VA 23062Map this location
Background:
Dr. Currin earned a B.S. in Zoology from North Carolina State University and Ph.D. in Marine Sciences from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Her recent work has investigated the response of salt marshes to sea level rise, and the effect of shoreline stabilization on estuarine intertidal habitats. This work includes assessments of Living Shoreline installations, participation in state and federal policy working groups, and in outreach and training workshops. Dr. Currin's food-web research uses stable isotopes to determine trophic relationships in natural and restored estuarine systems and to delineate the role of benthic primary producers in supporting fishery production in coastal and reef ecosystems, including Marine Protected Areas. She leads a multi-investigator Coastal Wetlands Research group investigating climate change impacts and the carbon cycle in salt marshes for the Department of Defense Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, and is a member of the North Carolina Sentinel Site Management Team. Dr. Currin is also an Associate Editor for Estuaries and Coasts and is an adjunct faculty member at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Abstract:
The estuarine shoreline faces challenges from both rising sea level and storms on the waterward side, and from development and protection of waterfront property on the landward side. Natural estuarine shorelines in the Southeast U. S. are dominated by salt marsh, and their ability to keep up with sea level rise, and to stabilize the shoreline, has led to efforts to utilize salt marsh in Living Shoreline approaches. Research in North Carolina has identified the wave energy regime which salt marsh can occupy, demonstrated the effectiveness of marsh in reducing bank erosion, and assessed the impact of stone sills on fringing marsh surface elevation change and plant distribution. These studies have also provided support for the utilization of fringing oyster reefs in Living Shoreline designs. Predictions of the response of salt marshes to accelerated sea level rise rely on an understanding of the relationship between marsh production and tidal inundation. We utilized surveyed SET marks to obtain in situ measures of the parabolic relationship between marsh biomass and tidal elevation, and found key differences between in situ and mesocosm results. These observations support efforts to conserve and restore marsh habitat, and improve coastal resiliency.
Please let [[v|seitz, Rochelle Seitz]] know if you would like to meet with Dr. Currin while she's here.
Dr. Currin earned a B.S. in Zoology from North Carolina State University and Ph.D. in Marine Sciences from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Her recent work has investigated the response of salt marshes to sea level rise, and the effect of shoreline stabilization on estuarine intertidal habitats. This work includes assessments of Living Shoreline installations, participation in state and federal policy working groups, and in outreach and training workshops. Dr. Currin's food-web research uses stable isotopes to determine trophic relationships in natural and restored estuarine systems and to delineate the role of benthic primary producers in supporting fishery production in coastal and reef ecosystems, including Marine Protected Areas. She leads a multi-investigator Coastal Wetlands Research group investigating climate change impacts and the carbon cycle in salt marshes for the Department of Defense Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, and is a member of the North Carolina Sentinel Site Management Team. Dr. Currin is also an Associate Editor for Estuaries and Coasts and is an adjunct faculty member at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Abstract:
The estuarine shoreline faces challenges from both rising sea level and storms on the waterward side, and from development and protection of waterfront property on the landward side. Natural estuarine shorelines in the Southeast U. S. are dominated by salt marsh, and their ability to keep up with sea level rise, and to stabilize the shoreline, has led to efforts to utilize salt marsh in Living Shoreline approaches. Research in North Carolina has identified the wave energy regime which salt marsh can occupy, demonstrated the effectiveness of marsh in reducing bank erosion, and assessed the impact of stone sills on fringing marsh surface elevation change and plant distribution. These studies have also provided support for the utilization of fringing oyster reefs in Living Shoreline designs. Predictions of the response of salt marshes to accelerated sea level rise rely on an understanding of the relationship between marsh production and tidal inundation. We utilized surveyed SET marks to obtain in situ measures of the parabolic relationship between marsh biomass and tidal elevation, and found key differences between in situ and mesocosm results. These observations support efforts to conserve and restore marsh habitat, and improve coastal resiliency.
Please let [[v|seitz, Rochelle Seitz]] know if you would like to meet with Dr. Currin while she's here.
Contact
[[v|seitz, Rochelle Seitz]]