Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-129-2023 (submitted: 04/12/2023, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
Creek slumping - nekton sampling and consumption assays
Investigator Information
On Island Sponsor: GCE SINERR UGAMI GADNR
| Principal Investigator: | Shelby Ziegler | ||
| Home Institution: | University of Georgia | ||
| Award Information: | NA | ||
| Mailing Address: | Odum School of Ecology | Phone Number: | |
| University of Georgia | E-mail Address: | shelbylziegler@gmail.com | |
| Athens, Georgia 30602 | |||
| Co-investigators: | James Byers (University of Georgia), Matthew Pierce (University of Georgia) | ||
Briefly describe the project goals and methodology
We will are interested in examining how creek bank slumpoing and changing marsh edge morphologies affect fish and invertebrate (nekton) access and use of the marsh habitat. We will have a four pronged sampling approach with 1) habitat sampling, 2) nekton sampling, 3) consumption assays, and 4) stable isotope sampling. 1. We will be quantifying Spartina shoot density and shoot height via quadrat sampling along the marsh tidal creek boundary. 2. We will place minnow traps at the edge of the marsh platform, in the tidal creek direct adjacent to the platform and 5m seaward of the marsh platform marked with floats at varying types of marsh edge morphologies (escarpments, natural slopes, creek slumps). We will identify to the lowest taxonomic level possible, measure and weigh each individual. 3. We will place approximately 10 tethered organisms along the marsh platform edge and at 2m seaward from the marsh for up to 24 hours to assess relative consumption of invertebrate prey. These will be held in place using small lawn staples. 4. We will retain ~20 mummichogs and ~30 grass shrimp from minnow traps to collect tissue samples for stable isotope analysis.
Where will the project be located?
This project will be located in Dean Creek and Belle Marsh.
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: 05/31/2023 End Date: 07/31/2023
How many people will access the site and at what frequency?
2-3 people, 3-4 days a week for 2 months.
Keywords that describe your project
What equipment will be deployed in the field?
minnow traps (<12 hours), lawn staples with tethered organisms (>24hrs), quadrats and transect tape (<10 mins)
Will plants or animals be collected as part of this study?
Yes, we will be collecting fish and invertebrates as part of this study. We expect to capture species such as mud crabs (Penopeidae), blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus), white shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus), mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus) and grass shrimp (Palaemonetes sp). The majority of fish and invertebrates will be released after being measured and weighed. We will be retaining approximately 20 mummichogs and 30 grass shrimp in total for stable isotope analysis. We will also collect approximately 100 Littoraria, and 100 Uca sp. for tethering studies.
What are the likely impacts of the project on the site?
There will be minimal to no impacts on the project site from this work. All materials will be placed out less than 24 hours and work will be predominately conducted from kayaks.
Will the project design include boardwalks? If not, explain why not.
No. For the majority of the sampling, we will be working directly from kayaks to minimize detrimental effects on the marsh.
How long will impacts persist after the research is concluded?
There should be little to no impact from this project.
Research Permits:
GA DNR Law Enforcement - Collecting Permits: GCE-129-2023_Permit_2023-ByersCollectionPermit (04/11/2023-03/31/2024)
Files attached to this application
GCE-129-2023_General_Approval_of_Amendment_to_AUP.pdf (PDF file, 38.12 kb, submitted 05/25/2023)
