Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-5-2011 (submitted: 05/03/2011, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
GCE-LTER 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, $4,920,000 | ||
| 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 monitor plant community composition in seven sets of plots at three sites to test the hypothesis that plant community composition varies as a function of freshwater discharge from the Altamaha (especially in low-marsh plots), local rainfall (especially in high-marsh plots), and average sea level. Each set of plots represents a distinct vegetation mixture.
Where will the project be located?
Marsh landing (3 mixtures), shell hammock (3 mixtures), teal boardwalk (1 mixture). I am not sure if the GCE techs have GPS coordinates for these plots yet or not.
How will you provide GPS coordinates for study sites?
I will arrange with my research sponsor to collect and register GPS coordinates
What are the expected start and end dates of the project?
Start Date: 10/01/2000 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 are used to mark the corners of permanent plots, which are 0.5 x 0.5 m in size. PVC pipes are 0.5 inches in diamater and wood stakes are approximately 0.5 by 1 inch and less than 1m long. Eight plots are installed at each of five vegetation mixtures, and sixteen plots at the other two mixtures, for a total of 72 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 are marked with stakes. We cause minor trampling on annual visits. Vegetation regrows before repeat visits (we are not forming trails).
Will the project design include boardwalks? If not, explain why not.
Yes. I have installed boardwalk at some sites (Shell Hammock and Teal Boardwalk) but it appears that the boardwalk increases disturbance given the low frequency of site visits and the need for boardwalk maintenance. I am intending to remove boardwalks as they deteriorate because in this case I think they hurt more than they help.
How long will impacts persist after the research is concluded?
Once pvc stakes marking plots are removed, effects of very limited trampling will disappear in less than one year (we do not observe trails on our repeat visits).
Research Permits:
Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division: GCE-5-2011_Permit_040412.0440pm_040612.LOPGCE5 (04/06/2012-04/05/2015)
Study Area Map:
Files attached to this application
GCE-5-2011_GPS_GCE5_Pennings.zip (Zip archive, 15.58 kb, submitted 08/03/2011)
GCE-5-2011_Maps_Point_ge_GCE5_Pennings.kml (KML file, 47.17 kb, submitted 08/03/2011)
GCE-5-2011_Maps_Research_GCE5_Pennings.kml (KML file, 3.18 kb, submitted 08/03/2011)
GCE-5-2011_Permits_040412.0440pm_040612.LOPGCE5.pdf (PDF file, 351.46 kb, submitted 04/10/2012)
GCE-5-2011_Permits_NWP_Form_GCE_5.docx (MS Word file, 16.79 kb, submitted 04/10/2012)
