Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-112-2021 (submitted: 04/08/2021, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
GCE Phenocam two
Investigator Information
On Island Sponsor: GCE SINERR UGAMI GADNR
| Principal Investigator: | Merryl Alber | ||
| Home Institution: | University of Georgia | ||
| Award Information: | GCE-LTER IV | ||
| Mailing Address: | Dept. of Marine Sciences | Phone Number: | (706) 542-5966 |
| University of Georgia | E-mail Address: | malber@uga.edu | |
| Athens, Georgia 30602-3636 | |||
| Co-investigators: | Steven C. Pennings (University of Houston), Jessica L. O'Connell (Colorado State University) | ||
Briefly describe the project goals and methodology
We will install a phenocam (a digital camera) on the back side of Nannygoat island, pointing NE towards salt marsh dominated by Juncus roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. The camera will be located on a marsh hammock. The Phenocam will take images every 30 minutes. Images will be analyzed to document the phenology (timing of green-up, maturity, senescence) of these two marsh plant species. The camera will be powered by a small solar panel and transmit data wirelessly to the University of Georgia Marine Institute.
Where will the project be located?
On a marsh hanmock on the back of Nannygoat Island, facing Dean Creek. The pole will be installed on a small concrete footing. See attached KMZ file.
How will you provide GPS coordinates for study sites?
I will provide a GIS file describing my study sites (ArcGIS shapefile, Google Earth KML/KMZ)
What are the expected start and end dates of the project?
Start Date: 05/01/2021 End Date: (ongoing)
How many people will access the site and at what frequency?
Four people will access the site for 3-4 days to install the concrete footing, aluminum pole and camera. After that, we will only need to visit if the camera, battery or solar panel needs servicing.
Keywords that describe your project
What equipment will be deployed in the field?
A digital camera, battery and solar panel, mounted on an aluminum pole, mounted on a 12 inch concrete footing sunk 4 feet into the ground.
Will plants or animals be collected as part of this study?
No
What are the likely impacts of the project on the site?
There will be disturbance at the immediate footprint of the aluminum pole. Otherwise, because we should rarely need to visit the camera, impacts should be minimal.
Will the project design include boardwalks? If not, explain why not.
No. The pole will be located amongst the trees where the ground is firm.
How long will impacts persist after the research is concluded?
We expect to run the camera indefinitely. If the project is stopped, we can easily remove the infrastructure above the concrete footing. In our opinion, removing the concrete footing would cause greater impacts than leaving it, but we could dig it out if requested.
Study Area Map:
Files attached to this application
GCE-112-2021_Photos_Phenocam_application.pdf (PDF file, 10983.7 kb, submitted 04/08/2021)
GCE-112-2021_Maps_Second_PhenoCam.kmz (Compressed KML file, 0.7 kb, submitted 04/08/2021)
