Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-89-2018 (submitted: 03/12/2018, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
Latitudinal variation in marsh fauna
Investigator Information
On Island Sponsor: GCE SINERR UGAMI GADNR
| Principal Investigator: | Steven C. Pennings | ||
| Home Institution: | University of Houston | ||
| Award Information: | N/A | ||
| Mailing Address: | Department of Biology and Biochemistry | Phone Number: | (713) 743-2989 |
| University of Houston | E-mail Address: | scpennin@central.uh.edu | |
| Houston, Texas 77204-5513 | |||
| Co-investigators: | Youzheng Zhang (University of Houston) | ||
Briefly describe the project goals and methodology
We seek to document latitudinal variation in salt marsh nematode community composition and Sesarma crab body size. We will sample 30-40 sites on the Atlantic Coast of the United States in late June or early July of 2018. We would like to include five GCE sites (1, 3, 4, 6, 10). At each site, we propose the following sampling protocol.
1) Nematodes: we will collect 10 cores (5 cm diameter, 10 cm depth) in the middle of the Spartina alterniflora zone. Samples will be removed from the site for further processing off-site.
2) Crabs: we will collect 1-3 cores (25 cm diameter, 30 cm depth) along creeks in the Spartina alterniflora zone. We will target areas with high abundance of Sesarma reticulatum, which typically lack living vegetation. We will excavate the core contents into a bucket, removing and measuring the carapace width of each crab. Soil and crabs will then be returned to the core location. Nothing will be removed from the site. The goal will be to measure at least 20 Sesarma reticulatum crabs. If we find 20 in the first core, we will stop at that point. If we have not found 20 after completing 3 cores, we will stop regardless.
Where will the project be located?
GCE sites 1, 3, 4, 6, 10, in the Spartina alterniflora zone
How will you provide GPS coordinates for study sites?
I will provide a spreadsheet containing GPS coordinates for my study sites
What are the expected start and end dates of the project?
Start Date: 06/15/2018 End Date: 07/15/2018
How many people will access the site and at what frequency?
Four people will visit each site for approximately two hours.
Keywords that describe your project
What equipment will be deployed in the field?
None
Will plants or animals be collected as part of this study?
We will have crabs in our possession for about 1 hour but will not remove them from the marsh.
What are the likely impacts of the project on the site?
Minor disturbance from walking and collecting cores.
Will the project design include boardwalks? If not, explain why not.
Not relevant for a one-time visit.
How long will impacts persist after the research is concluded?
Disturbed areas should be indistinguishable from adjacent areas within a month.
