Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-35-2012 (submitted: 08/30/2012, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
GCE-LTER Altamaha River plant community monitoring
Investigator Information
On Island Sponsor: GCE SINERR UGAMI GADNR
| Principal Investigator: | Steven C. Pennings | ||
| Home Institution: | University of Houston | ||
| Award Information: | Core monitoring activity of GCE-LTER, $5,880,000 | ||
| Mailing Address: | Department of Biology and Biochemistry | Phone Number: | (713) 743-2989 |
| University of Houston | E-mail Address: | scpennin@central.uh.edu | |
| Houston, Texas 77204-5513 | |||
| Co-investigators: | |||
Briefly describe the project goals and methodology
We will monitor plant biomass and composition at three sites on the Altamaha River to test the hypothesis that end-of-year biomass and community composition varies as a function of freshwater discharge from the Altamaha, local rainfall, and average sea level. Two sites are located to capture the transition from Zizaniopsis to Spartina cynosuroides in areas with very low water column salinity, and one site is located to capture the transition from Spartina cynosuroides to S. alterniflora in areas with brackish waters. We also observe wrack disturbance in these plots to estimate disturbance rates in different habitats.
Where will the project be located?
one site upstream from two-way fish camp, one site upstream of the champney boat ramp, and one site downstream of GCE 8.
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: 10/01/2012 End Date: (ongoing)
How many people will access the site and at what frequency?
Three people will visit each site once a year for 1-2 hours.
Keywords that describe your project
What equipment will be deployed in the field?
PVC pipe or wooden stakes will be used to mark the corners of permanent plots, 0.5 x 0.5 m in size. Eight plots will be installed in creekbank vegetation at each site, for a total of 24 plots. Stakes will be removed by Pennings if the long-term monitoring program is ended.
Will plants or animals be collected as part of this study?
No.
What are the likely impacts of the project on the site?
Plots will be marked with stakes. We will cause minor trampling on annual visits. Based on experience from similar plots elsewhere in Georgia, we expect that vegetation will regrow before repeat visits (we typically do not form trails at plots we visit only once a year).
Will the project design include boardwalks? If not, explain why not.
No. We will visit the sites only once a year, and this limited visitation rate is not expected to create trails.
How long will impacts persist after the research is concluded?
Once the project is ended and stakes removed, effects of trampling should disappear in less than a year.
Research Permits:
Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division: GCE-35-2012_Permit_GCE_35_LOP_and_Revocable_license (09/25/2012-09/25/2015)
Study Area Map:
Files attached to this application
GCE-35-2012_GPS_Altamaha_River_Plant_Community_Monitoring_sites.kml (KML file, 2.46 kb, submitted 08/30/2012)
