Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-17-2011 (submitted: 07/17/2011, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
Can less palatable plants buffer Spartina against runaway consumption
Investigator Information
On Island Sponsor: GCE SINERR UGAMI GADNR
| Principal Investigator: | John Griffin | ||
| Home Institution: | University of Swansea | ||
| Award Information: | (not specified) | ||
| Mailing Address: | Department of Biosciences | Phone Number: | |
| University of Swansea | E-mail Address: | J.N.Griffin@swansea.ac.uk | |
| Co-investigators: | Brian R. Silliman (Duke University) | ||
Briefly describe the project goals and methodology
This project was motivated by observations along borders of ongoing, drought-induced, Spartina die-off areas. Specifically, we noted lower periwinkle densities on Spartina individuals when they occurred within a matrix of Sarcocornia (mixed meadows) as compared to Spartina monocultures. With this proposed experiment, we intend to test the hypothesis that Sarcocornia provides an associational refuge for interspersed Spartina individuals and therefore buffers the system against runaway consumption. To test this we plan to establish rings of plants with 3 zones: 1) mixed Spartina/Sarcocornia, 2) pure Spartina, and 3) pure Sarcocornia. We will add 500 snails to each experimental arena and monitor snail movement and grazing impact over 4 months.
Where will the project be located?
Airport marsh (within a zone of pure Sarcocornia).
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: 08/01/2011 End Date: 11/30/2011
How many people will access the site and at what frequency?
2 people 3 x per week to being with (first 3 weeks), and then monthly for the rest of the experiment
Please list keywords (as many as are appropriate) that describe your project:
What equipment will be deployed in the field?
10 x field cages (2 m in diameter)
Will plants or animals be collected as part of this study?
Yes. 5,000 Littoraria irrorata; 720 individual Spartina stems.
What are the likely impacts of the project on the site?
Moderate trampling. Movement of some Spartina into Sarcocornia zone.
Will the project design include boardwalks? If not, explain why not.
We intend to place boards on the ground to limit trampling (rather than installing full-blown boardwalks for which we do not have a permit). We will also trial the new aluminum portable boardwalks and use these throughout if feasible.
How long will impacts persist after the research is concluded?
around 2 years due to the moderate trampling. Notably, we will remove transplanted Spartina at the end of the experiment.