Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-52-2013 (submitted: 08/30/2013, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
Blue crab monitoring
Investigator Information
On Island Sponsor: GCE SINERR UGAMI GADNR
| Principal Investigator: | Steven C. Pennings | ||
| Home Institution: | University of Houston | ||
| Award Information: | Part of GCE LTER core monitoring efforts | ||
| 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: | Brian R. Silliman (Duke University) | ||
Briefly describe the project goals and methodology
The goal of the monitoring is to determine the importance of several factors that may affect use of the marsh by blue crabs. We will use crab traps to estimate the relative abundance of blue crabs in small (1 m width) marsh creeks as a function of 1) time of year, 2) tide height, 3) day versus night high tides, and 4) abiotic conditions (salinity, climate). Crab traps (1-3 per creek) will be deployed in 1-3 creeks for a single high tide, once a week. Traps will be deployed in the upper reaches of the creeks. Traps will be retrieved on the following low tide, and crabs measured, sexed, and released on the spot.
Where will the project be located?
Creeks at the south end of Sapelo Island with easy road access from the island. For example, we might place traps in tributaries of Dean Creek or Lighthouse Creek. Our first set of traps will be deployed at 31°23'22.24"N; 81°16'49.69"W. We will start by sampling a single creek to ensure that the methodology will work before expanding to additional creeks.
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: 10/01/2013 End Date: (ongoing)
How many people will access the site and at what frequency?
One person will deploy the traps once a week and retrieve them the following day. Each deployment will last less than 24 h.
Keywords that describe your project
What equipment will be deployed in the field?
Because traps will be in the upper reaches of very small (1 m channel width) creeks, they will not pose a hazard to navigation, and will not be confused with commercial traps.
Will plants or animals be collected as part of this study?
We will trap blue crabs, but release them on the spot after counting them. We will be covered by the UGAMI collection permit.
What are the likely impacts of the project on the site?
A trail may develop to the location where we deploy the trap. We will be vigilant about this and may use a portable aluminum boardwalk to minimize trampling and improve footing near the creek.
Will the project design include boardwalks? If not, explain why not.
No. We will use portable aluminum boardwalks if they become necessary.
How long will impacts persist after the research is concluded?
A trail will revegetate in less than a year once the project stops.
Research Permits:
Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division: GCE-52-2013_Permit_LOA__Blue_Crab_monitor_Sapelo_9_17_13 (10/01/2013-indefinite)
Study Area Map:
Files attached to this application
GCE-52-2013_GPS_Initial_crab_trap_deployment.kmz (Compressed KML file, 0.7 kb, submitted 08/30/2013)
