Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-103-2020 (submitted: 03/23/2020, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
Growth strategy of sea oats (Uniola paniculata)
Investigator Information
On Island Sponsor: GCE SINERR UGAMI GADNR
| Principal Investigator: | Christine Angelini | ||
| Home Institution: | University of Florida | ||
| Award Information: | Netherlands Organization of Scientific Research (NWO) Vidi Grant to Tjisse van der Heide | ||
| Mailing Address: | Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences | Phone Number: | |
| University of Florida | E-mail Address: | christine.angelini@essie.ufl.edu | |
| Gainesville, Florida 32611 | |||
| Co-investigators: | |||
Briefly describe the project goals and methodology
Dune building grasses are important for dune development and as a result they increase coastal protection. Most dune grasses expand clonally and their clonal expansion patterns strongly influence their ability to trap sediment and subsequently form coastal dunes. To understand what drives these clonal expansion patterns in Uniolia paniculata and how this affects the dune building capacity of the species we will conduct two experiments. In the first experiment, the effect of restoration measures using sediment stabilizing elements (BESE) and wrack input on Uniola paniculata growth and shoot organization will be tested. In the second experiment, the foraging behavior and resulting effects on shoot organization of Uniola paniculata will be determined.
Methodology (see attached methods for a detailed description):
For the first experiment, Uniola paniculata transplants will be collected from a previous experiment by Christine Angelini/Sinead Crotty (application GCE-88-2018) and deployed with and without wrack additions and sediment stabilizing elements at two different dune zones (front line and foredune edge). For the second experiment, transplants from both greenhouse and previous experiments will be used. Transplants will be planted on the foredune edge. At either side of the transplant, at a 40 cm distance, we will create patches containing: transplants, wrack, both or nothing (control).
Where will the project be located?
Both experiments will be located on the beach and sand dunes. Experiment 1: 31°24'18.77"N; 81°15'29.03"W Experiment 2: 31°24'46.61"N; 81°15'14.18"W
How will you provide GPS coordinates for study sites?
I will provide a provisional map and arrange with my sponsor to collect and register GPS coordinates
What are the expected start and end dates of the project?
Start Date: 05/01/2020 End Date: 11/30/2022
How many people will access the site and at what frequency?
For experimental deployment, 4 people will access the site for 3 days. For monitoring, 1 person will access the site once every 2 months. Once every 6 months a group of 4 or 5 people will access the site.
Keywords that describe your project
What equipment will be deployed in the field?
We will deploy biodegradable structures (BESE), rebar rods to secure BESE and marking flags. The BESE structure measures approximately 1m*0.5m*0.02m (LxWxH). We will cut them in half and layer 3, so final dimensions will measure 0.5m*0.5m*0.06m.
Will plants or animals be collected as part of this study?
Leaf samples (one per experimental plot) will be collected at the end of the experiment for nutrient analyses.
What are the likely impacts of the project on the site?
We will transplant sea oats (Uniola paniculata) (acquired plant material from previous experiments and local plant nursery) and biodegradable structure material (BESE). Likely impacts will be sand accumulation, plant growth and initial dune recovery.
Will the project design include boardwalks? If not, explain why not.
No; boardwalks will alter sand accumulation patterns. The site will only be visited a few times throughout the year, thus natural dune building processes will not be affected.
How long will impacts persist after the research is concluded?
Negative Impacts: none anticipated; Positive impacts: dune growth
Research Permits:
Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division: GCE-103-2020_Permit_GCE-103-2020 (05/01/2020-11/30/2022)
Study Area Map:
Files attached to this application
GCE-103-2020_Documents_experimental_design_permit.docx (MS Word file, 688.24 kb, submitted 03/23/2020)
GCE-103-2020_Maps_Angelini_Sea_Oats.kml (KML file, 1.96 kb, submitted 03/23/2020)
