Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-85-2017 (submitted: 04/26/2017, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
Tidal creek morphology drives predator access to salt marsh platforms
Investigator Information
On Island Sponsor: GCE SINERR UGAMI GADNR
| Principal Investigator: | Sinead M. Crotty | ||
| Home Institution: | University of Florida | ||
| Award Information: | Graduate Research Fellowship Program, NSF, $34K/yr | ||
| Mailing Address: | Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences | Phone Number: | |
| University of Florida | E-mail Address: | scrotty@ufl.edu | |
| Gainesville, Florida 32611 | |||
| Co-investigators: | Christine Angelini (University of Florida) | ||
Briefly describe the project goals and methodology
In the summer of 2016, we studied drivers of ribbed mussel spatial patterning at five sites on Sapelo Island, GA. We found support for the hypothesis that shorter tidal creeks have higher rates of predation than longer creeks of similar complexity. So, we are proposing secondary experiment to supplement the spatial patterning data that aims to quantify rates of nektonic predation by creek length and identify who the major predators are. We aim to deploy tethered mussels at creek heads of each of our experimental creeks (N=10 creeks, 10 mussels/creek, 100 tethered mussels total). These mussels will be deployed with fishing hooks inserted inside their shell, and attached to temporary PVC posts. These deployments will be monitored throughout high tide, and any fish caught will be identified, measured for length, and released immediately. One blue crab trap per creek will additionally be baited with live ribbed mussels and deployed at creek head regions during the same tidal cycle.
Where will the project be located?
Airport Marsh (Small: 31.420511, -81.294440 Large: 31.422351, -81.292284) Barn Creek (Small: 31.437904, -81.285443 Large: 31.438901, -81.284718) Birdhouse Cottages (Small: 31.420007, -81.255135 Large: 31.420978, -81.255731) Little Sapelo (Small: 31.418085, -81.298943 Large: 31.418762, -81.299603) Dock Road (Small: 31.408820, -81.290655 Large: 31.407721, -81.290639)
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: 06/04/2017 End Date: 07/04/2017
How many people will access the site and at what frequency?
If approved, we will use the help of undergraduate researchers to deploy this experiment over one tidal cycle in June 2017. Each of the five sites will be visited by one person, who will deploy the experiment, and monitor the experiment over a high, spring tide.
Keywords that describe your project
What equipment will be deployed in the field?
For one tidal cycle, 10 mussels each attached to a fishing hook will be deployed in the marsh and attached to a PVC pole for stability. This will be replicated at 10 creeks across 5 sites on Sapelo Island, GA.
Will plants or animals be collected as part of this study?
100 ribbed mussels will be collected and deployed in the field.
What are the likely impacts of the project on the site?
None.
Will the project design include boardwalks? If not, explain why not.
No, it will be a minimally disruptive experiment that is a short-term deployment. The level of destruction does not justify use of boardwalks.
How long will impacts persist after the research is concluded?
There will be minimal impacts that will likely persist no longer than 1-2 weeks.
Study Area Map:
Files attached to this application
GCE-85-2017_Maps_Tidal_creek_morphology_sites.kml (KML file, 6.42 kb, submitted 04/28/2017)
