Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-144-2025 (submitted: 04/26/2025, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
Evaluating Spatial Patterns of Wetlands Soil Carbon Stocks Across the Georgia Coast
Investigator Information
On Island Sponsor: GCE SINERR UGAMI GADNR
| Principal Investigator: | Amanda C. Spivak | ||
| Home Institution: | University of Georgia | ||
| Award Information: | Georgia Sea Grant | ||
| Mailing Address: | Marine Science Rm. 164 | Phone Number: | (706) 542-5709 |
| Marine Sciences | E-mail Address: | aspivak@uga.edu | |
| Athens, Georgia 30602-3636 | |||
| Co-investigators: | Hejia Zhang (University of Georgia) | ||
Briefly describe the project goals and methodology
Coastal wetlands are recognized as a critical carbon sink. However, the factors driving spatial variation in soil carbon stocks in Georgia remain poorly understood. My research aims to (1) characterize the distribution of soil carbon stocks across Georgia's coastal wetlands and (2) identify potential factors contributing to their spatial variability.
To do this, I am building a comprehensive carbon database evaluating the spatial patterns of soil carbon stocks associated with different watersheds and marsh types, including freshwater, brackish, and salt marshes. Freshwater marshes, in particular, are underrepresented in the database, despite the existing data suggesting that freshwater marshes dominated by Zizaniopsis contain higher soil carbon stocks than salt marshes. To address this gap, we plan to collect additional samples from freshwater marshes, including GCE 7 (Carrs Island), a freshwater marsh site within the GCE domain.
At GCE 7, six sediment cores will be collected using a piston corer: three cores will be extracted from interior marsh locations and three from creek bank zones. Following extraction, the cores will be immediately transported to the University of Georgia for laboratory analyses. Sample materials will include marsh sediments (sand, silt, and clay fractions) and small amounts of plant material, including roots.
Where will the project be located?
Six sediment cores will be collected in GCE 7: three cores will be extracted from interior marsh locations and three from creek bank zones. The coordinates are listed below in degrees: 31.338423, -81.477667 31.338257, -81.477873 31.337907, -81.477941 31.338291, -81.477578 31.338104, -81.477681
How will you provide GPS coordinates for study sites?
GPS coordinates are listed in the project location field
What are the expected start and end dates of the project?
Start Date: 06/01/2025 End Date: 12/01/2025
How many people will access the site and at what frequency?
Three people for three days during one single trip within the permit period.
Keywords that describe your project
What equipment will be deployed in the field?
Six sediment cores, each 80 cm in length and 10 cm in diameter, will be extracted using a piston corer coupled with a saw horse. The piston inside the corer creates a pressure differential at the top of the sediment column, allowing the sediment to enter the core liner without disruption. No equipment will be left on site after core collection.
Will plants or animals be collected as part of this study?
No, there won't be any plants or animals collected.
What are the likely impacts of the project on the site?
Soil and small amount of biomass (vegetations) will be removed from small quadrats (0.6 square meters), and the holes from soil cores (10 cm diameter, 100 cm long) will be filled in with surrounding soil. No living organisms will be collected during this research. We will carefully examine the sampling sites to ensure that the process does not disturb turtles or other animals.
Will the project design include boardwalks? If not, explain why not.
How long will impacts persist after the research is concluded?
There will be no long-term impacts. Biomass will be removed from small areas and will recover within one growing season. All samples will be collected according to best practices (e.g., minimal sampling team, single-file walking, small coring rig) to minimize potential disturbance.
Research Permits:
Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division: GCE-144-2025_Permit_RLS20250019_Spivak_MarshLanding_signed (05/20/2025-05/20/2026)
Files attached to this application
GCE-144-2025_General_RLS20250019_Spivak_MarshLanding_signed.pdf (PDF file, 312.79 kb, submitted 06/30/2025)
