Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-69-2016 (submitted: 02/03/2016, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
Evaluating plant response to changes in inundation with experimental marsh organs
Investigator Information
On Island Sponsor: GCE SINERR UGAMI GADNR
| Principal Investigator: | Merryl Alber | ||
| Home Institution: | University of Georgia | ||
| Award Information: | Coastal SEES project | ||
| Mailing Address: | Dept. of Marine Sciences | Phone Number: | (706) 542-5966 |
| University of Georgia | E-mail Address: | malber@uga.edu | |
| Athens, Georgia 30602-3636 | |||
| Co-investigators: | Clark R. Alexander Jr. (Skidaway Institute of Oceanography), Jacob Shalack (University of Georgia Marine Institute) | ||
Briefly describe the project goals and methodology
This project is aimed at evaluating the effect of sea level rise on Spartina alterniflora growth and survival. We will set up an experimental marsh organ that can be used to expose plants to differing amounts of inundation. This approach was developed by Dr. Jim Morris (http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/marsh-organ.html), who has used them at North Inlet, SC and in other locations. This technique will allow us to evaluate how changes in inundation will affect marsh plants.
Where will the project be located?
31.456590, -81.363823 This is near the SINERR visitor's center in Meridian (See attached map).
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: 03/01/2016 End Date: 12/31/2020
How many people will access the site and at what frequency?
A team of ~ 5 people will help with the initial installation over a period of 2-3 days. Once it is set up, the site will be accessed by 1 person at monthly intervals over the course of the growing season (March - October). We expect to use this system to run different variations on this experiment each year (e.g. potentially transplanting different species).
Keywords that describe your project
What equipment will be deployed in the field?
We are collaborating with Dr. Morris on this project and will follow the general construction plans that he has provided (attached supporting document, with photos). Although the plans call for 6 levels of PVC pipe , we will use 9 levels to accommodate the wider tidal range in this area. Pipes will be arranged in 0.5 ft intervals (for a total of 4 ft from top to bottom), and will be set up such that it ranges from approximately mean sea level to mean high high water.
Will plants or animals be collected as part of this study?
Plants will be transplanted directly from the study site into the pipes, and then monitored monthly over the course of the growing season (plant height). At the end of the growing season they will be removed for a final weight and measurement of below-ground biomass. We will have a total of 54 6'-diameter PVC pipes, and each will have 2-3 live plants. This collection activity is covered by the UGAMI collecting permit.
What are the likely impacts of the project on the site?
The total dimensions of the marsh organ will be approx. 4 1/2 deep and 3' wide. The specific site chosen for this installation is indented into the bank and does not have a lot of vegetation. We will use mud from the site to fill the pipes.
Will the project design include boardwalks? If not, explain why not.
The site is readily accessible from the upland (behind the DNR house) and is on relatively firm ground. Although monthly visits will cause some trampling (a trail is likely to form), we do not think that the modest level of disturbance or limited duration of the project justify constructing extensive and expensive permanent boardwalks. We will use a moveable boardwalk to access plots and minimize trampling in the immediate vicinity of the organ.
How long will impacts persist after the research is concluded?
We expect the plants to re-grow at the site within 1 growing season, and to be fully recovered by year 2.
Research Permits:
Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division: GCE-69-2016_Permit_LOAck-_Alber_Marsh_Organ_Sapelo_3.3.16 (03/07/2016-04/01/2020)
Site Photographs:
Files attached to this application
GCE-69-2016_Maps_Marsh_Organ_site.jpg (Jpeg image, 475.44 kb, submitted 02/04/2016)
GCE-69-2016_Documents_organ_assembly_v.2012.doc (MS Word file, 7513.5 kb, submitted 02/04/2016)
GCE-69-2016_Photos_IMG_20160202_100322935.jpg (Jpeg image, 3494 kb, submitted 02/05/2016)
GCE-69-2016_Maps_marsh_organ_installation.jpg (Jpeg image, 213.23 kb, submitted 03/01/2016)
