Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-121-2022 (submitted: 04/01/2022, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
A Smart-Sensing Based Cyberinfrastructure for Monitoring Belowground Soil Organic Carbon in Tidal Wetlands
Investigator Information
On Island Sponsor: GCE SINERR UGAMI GADNR
| Principal Investigator: | Deepak Mishra | ||
| Home Institution: | University of Georgia | ||
| Award Information: | NSF; $1.167,768 | ||
| Mailing Address: | Department of Geography | Phone Number: | (706) 542-8927 |
| University of Georgia | E-mail Address: | dmishra@uga.edu | |
| Athens, Georgia 30602 | |||
| Co-investigators: | Lori Sutter (University of North Carolina - Wilmington), Rajneesh Sharma (University of Georgia) | ||
Briefly describe the project goals and methodology
We are developing a cyber-architecture-based data-centric framework, that can collect, store, and transmit data remotely from tidal wetlands. This framework would include a PVC platform with soil sensors, Nix sensors, and a camera attached to computer boards connected to a power source. We are also planning to attach a lightweight solar panel to the PVC platform.
Where will the project be located?
Potential sites would be along the GA coast at Skidaway, Sapelo, and Brunswick Islands. Exact location at Sapelo will include Airport marsh, Dean Creek, and Flux Tower sites
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: 05/08/2022 End Date: 08/01/2024
How many people will access the site and at what frequency?
A team of 3-4 graduate and undergraduate students would access the site once in two months. Frequency can be higher at the initial stages and then can reduce to once in 3-4 months.
Keywords that describe your project
What equipment will be deployed in the field?
The platform would be made of PVC pipes. The projected length of the platform is 6 feet (2 feet underground, 4 feet above ground). There would 4 legs (each 2 feet in length) on the platform. There would be a square frame attaching all four legs and also act as a base to the platform (2 feet length of 4 PVC pipes). Then a 6 feet PVC pipe would be at the center (2 feet underground). There would be soil sensors tied to the legs of the platform and, a camera, a solar panel on the top of the platform. Figures 1 and 2, give an idea of the platform design. The platform would be deployed sometime this summer (4-5 weeks) and then taken back for minor modifications and improvements. Once the required minor modifications are done, it will be deployed for a year. That yearlong deployment is expected to start in Sep 2022. The platform would have its power source generated through a solar panel mounted on the top. No external power source is needed. The platform is projected to cast a minimal shadow as the lower 2 feet of the platform would be underground and essentially there is just one 4 feet pipe that would cast a minimal shadow. One component of the platform that can cast some shadow is the solar panel and we would regularly monitor the effect of shadowing on the vegetation.
Will plants or animals be collected as part of this study?
No, plants or animals would not be collected as part of this study.
What are the likely impacts of the project on the site?
There are no likely long-term impacts of the project on the site. The platform is light, the build-out of PVC pipes has a minimal footprint on the ground, and marshes would be able to recover very quickly after removal.
Will the project design include boardwalks? If not, explain why not.
This project design does not include boardwalks. Most of the sites are easily accessible. We will deploy these platforms close to the roads/creek banks to avoid creating long trails in the marsh.
How long will impacts persist after the research is concluded?
This study would not have a long-term impact on the site.
Research Permits:
Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division: GCE-121-2022_Permit_RLS20220022_Mishra_Awesomsense_signed_Approved_2022-2023 (07/01/2022-10/31/2023)
Site Photographs:
Files attached to this application
GCE-121-2022_General_Airport_Marsh.png (PNG image, 1512.54 kb, submitted 04/13/2022)
GCE-121-2022_General_Dean's_Creek.png (PNG image, 1856.91 kb, submitted 04/13/2022)
GCE-121-2022_General_Study_Description_and_Report_Sapelo_2022.pdf (PDF file, 281.95 kb, submitted 04/13/2022)
