2024 Research Symposium

Oral Presentation Program

Oral Presentations: Research Symposium, NOAA Beaufort Lab Auditorium, May 9th 9:00am-4:30pm

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Madison Lytle, UNC Wilmington

Effects of cold temperature stress and water clarity on Halodule wrightii persistence

Co-Authors/Collaborators: Jessie Jarvis

Abstract: North Carolina (NC) is a transition zone between temperate and tropical seagrass bioregions. Seagrasses in NC declined at rate of 1.5% per year between 2007 and 2013, potentially due to reduced light availability and temperature stress. Tropical species H. wrightii experiences cold stress when water temperatures are < 20ºC. It is unknown how prolonged periods of cold thermal stress (≥ 2 weeks) will impact the persistence of H. wrightii if light conditions also deteriorate. In Jan 2023 the stress response of H. wrightii to cold temperatures and reduced light was accessed in situ over 4 weeks. Light levels were manipulated to ambient, 11% and 22% of surface irradiance and shoot density and C:N were collected weekly. Belowground biomass had a response with water depth where deep (≥2m MLW) treatments had greater belowground biomass than shallow (≤ 2m MLW) treatments. This could possibly be due to differences in water temperature between the two treatments.

Presenter Bio: PhD Candidate, Coastal Plant Ecology Lab, UNC-Wilmington. Dissertation theme is spatiotemporal methods to monitor and manage seagrasses. Recipient of the 2022 NC Coastal Fellowship to study effects of water clarity on seagrasses at the Rachel Carson Reserve.

Byron Toothman, NC Coastal Reserve & NERR

The NERRS System-Wide Monitoring Program

Abstract: A brief overview of the NERRS System Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP). I'll discuss environmental monitoring programs as well as how to acquire and a number of ways in which the data are currently being used.

Presenter Bio: Research Biologist with the NC Coastal Reserve & NERR and PhD Candidate, UNC-Wilmington. Byron has been helping run the System-Wide Monitoring Program efforts for the NC NERR since 2008.

Amanda Williard, UNC Wilmington

Physiological ecology of the estuarine diamond-backed terrapin

Co-Authors/Collaborators: Brett Wilson, Jasmine Pierre

Abstract: The diamond-backed terrapin is the only temperate turtle species that exclusively inhabits estuarine environments and is a species of conservation concern throughout its range. My students and I conduct studies to investigate the morphological, behavioral and physiological features that contribute to the terrapin’s ability to thrive in highly dynamic estuarine habitats. We are particularly interested in the strategies used by terrapins to maintain salt and water balance in their bodies and how alterations in salinity and temperature may affect energy allocation and behavioral patterns in terrapins. We also conduct studies to assess the health status of terrapins at multiple sites in the lower Cape Fear region in relation to various anthropogenic threats, such as interactions with fishing gear and the presence of chemical contaminants (PFAS). An understanding of the environmental factors that affect terrapin physiology and energy allocation may provide us with insight into how terrapins and other estuarine organisms may respond to the effects of climate change and sea level rise on coastal habitats.

Presenter Bio: Amanda Williard is a Professor in Department of Biology and Marine Biology at UNC Wilmington. Her research falls under the broad umbrella of conservation physiology. My students and I assess how environmental and anthropogenic factors affect the physiological status of marine and estuarine turtles, with a focus on metabolism and energetics. Our most recent collaborations with NCCR scientists include an investigation of the impacts of incidental capture in crab pots on diamond-backed terrapins and assessments of the efficacy of novel bycatch reduction technology.

April Blakeslee, East Carolina University

Parasites as Biodiversity Surrogates in Oyster Reef Restoration

Co-Authors/Collaborators: Rachel Gittman, Chris Moore, Grace Loonam

Abstract: Parasites have been identified as key bioindicators of myriad conservation related questions, including serving as surrogate taxa for community biodiversity following oyster reef restoration. Here, we discuss the importance of including parasites in investigations of community biodiversity as well as their utility in demonstrating temporal changes in community assembly, species composition, and taxa diversity following oyster reef restoration. We provide examples from the Rachel Carson Reserve for how parasites can inform biodiversity assessments following the addition of novel habitat.

Heather McGuire, Chowan University

A Bird in the Hand: Breeding Ecology of the Prothonotary Warbler in Northeastern North Carolina

Co-Authors/Collaborators: James Dame, Skadi Kylander

Abstract: Chowan University (CU) is a small, liberal arts, minority serving institution in northeastern North Carolina. The CU Department of Biology collaborates with the NC Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve System to promote undergraduate research and provide opportunities for students to gain field experience. This presentation will focus on the department’s Prothonotary Warbler research (Kitty Hawk Woods) but will also briefly describe other ongoing projects – marsh response to sea level rise (Currituck Banks), SAV community composition (Currituck Banks), and biodiversity monitoring of inner dune ponds (Kitty Hawk Woods).

Matthew Godfrey

Collaborative research between NCWRC & NC Coastal Reserves

Co-Authors/Collaborators: Coastal Wildlife Diversity biologists at NCWRC

Abstract: Staff at NC WRC and NCCR have a rich history of collaborating on various research and monitoring projects involving coastal wildlife. This presentation will highlight a few current projects that are focused on birds and turtles.

Presenter Bio: Sea turtle biologist with NC Wildlife Resources Commission since 2002.  Works closely with coastal reserve staff/volunteers on sea turtle nest monitoring and protection and/or sea turtle stranding response on Currituck Banks Reserve, Rachel Carson Reserve, Permuda Island Reserve, Masonboro Island Reserve, Zeke’s Island Reserve, and Bird Island Reserve. 

Celso Castro-Bolinaga, North Carolina State University

Improved Understanding of Sediment Dynamics for the Rachel Carson Reserve

Co-Authors/Collaborators: Swarna Chowdhury; Evelynn Wilcox; Grace Massey; Paula Gillikin; Justin Ridge; Whitney Jenkins; Steven G. Hall; Nina Stark

Abstract: This presentation will provide an overview of an ongoing NERRS Science Collaborative project that is focused on generating an improved understanding of sediment dynamics at and around the Rachel Carson Reserve. Specifically, this presentation will show results of a multifaceted field effort that was conducted to characterize flow and sediment conditions at and around the Reserve, as well as provide a sneak peek on the construction of a two-dimensional (2D) hydro-morphodynamic numerical model that is being developed for the Reserve's staff. Ultimately, it is envisioned that results of the NERRS Science Collaborative project will generate: an improved understanding of how the interaction between extreme storm events, river systems, and coastal processes impact sediment dynamics at and around the Reserve; refined decision making and management for engineering practices at the Beaufort Inlet; and an improved understanding of the impact of sediment dynamics on the vulnerability of coastal habitats and infrastructure for informing effective resilience planning.

Presenter Bio: Celso Castro-Bolinaga is an assistant professor in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at NC State University. He is the PI of the Environmental Sediment Mechanics Research Group, which primarily focuses on studying phenomena related to the dynamics of water and sediment in a range of aquatic environments that include streams, rivers, and estuaries. He has collaborated with staff at the Rachel Carson Reserve since 2018, working on projects that range from understanding local changes in sediment composition and erodibility caused by the presence of oyster reefs to simulating large-scale sediment dynamics at and around the Reserve.

Andrea Hawkes, UNC Wilmington

A review of observations and modeling of erosion and recovery of a coupled barrier island beach-dune system, Masonboro Island, NC

Co-Authors/Collaborators: Joe Long

Abstract: The geomorphic and ecological vulnerability of barrier islands is influenced by the way they respond to oceanographic and anthropogenic forcing over a broad range of temporal and spatial scales. Integrated models, based on in-situ field observation (weather, grain size, etc), capable of simulating these processes are increasingly necessary to understand barrier island trajectories under future conditions and to aid in management decisions by evaluating the impact of potential restoration activities. While there are numerical models capable of simulating some of the dominant barrier processes, the role of beach berm evolution is rarely included despite the important function of berms in sustaining beaches, enabling dune growth via Aeolian transport, and mitigating backshore and dune erosion during storm events. This is primarily due to a lack of available data that resolves details of beach profile evolution and characteristics (grain-size) at necessary temporal scales (e.g., seasonal, post-storm recovery, etc.) to test and develop models, especially considering the inherent difficulty of including these intra-annual processes into decadal scale models of barrier island evolution. Here we provide a review a unique and growing dataset of environmental forcings, barrier island topographic changes, and sediment grain-size characteristics on Masonboro Island. We also use the dataset to develop and test a model for barrier island evolution and quantify the role of storms, moderate wave conditions, and wind-driven transport in dictating coastal change on various timescales.

Presenter Bio: Professor, Earth and Ocean Sciences Department, Sea Level Research Lab, UNCW. Hawkes is a coastal geologist that reconstructs coastal hazards over varying temporal and spatial scales (relative sea level, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes). Her and colleagues, Joe Long (UNCW), Dave Wells (UNCW ops), Liz Pinnix (NCNERR), and Chris LaClair (COMRP), have been working on Masonboro Island for the past ~6 years to fly quarterly drone imagery, upkeep two real-time weather stations and offshore wave buoys and sample two cross-shore sediment/elevation transects with the goal of providing data and models to help with island management.

Taylor Reid Mattioli, UNC Wilmington

Bridging the Research-Action Gap: a "How-To Guide" for Conducting Marsh Organ Experiments

Co-Authors/Collaborators: Stacy B. Endriss, Devon Eulie, Joe Long, Gabrielle Pinto

Abstract: Marsh organs, structures designed to raise potted plants to different elevations to represent sea level rise predictions in real time, present a promising avenue for understanding how coastal environments will respond to global change. Experiments using marsh organs can inform critical coastal management decisions aimed at building long-term ecological and community resilience. However, despite the vast potential of marsh organ experiments, they remain largely underutilized. Here, we aim to increase the accessibility of marsh organs by creating reproducible guidelines that can be adapted to address diverse ecological questions across dynamic coastal environments. Specifically, we conduct a systematic literature review to synthesize common themes in current marsh organ studies and identify practices used to implement marsh organs. Further, we utilize a local case study to evaluate these methods and inform recommendations for future studies. To this end, we provide (i) recommended practices for evaluating potential marsh organ sites, (ii) methods and resources to increase transparency and accessibility of marsh organ construction and installation, and (iii) structural guidance for utilizing marsh organs in high-energy coastal systems. We recommend that future studies using marsh organs clearly report site evaluation methods, building materials, construction methods, and installation methods. To facilitate this reporting, we provide a template for reporting methods, a structural blueprint for an adaptable marsh organ design, and a site-suitability model for determining optimal marsh organ placement. We believe these guidelines and resources will enhance the quality, interpretability, and repeatability of future marsh organ studies, and thus help bridge the gap between research and action in this emerging field that has so much unrealized potential to assist in addressing current management needs.

Presenter Bio: Taylor Reid Mattioli is a Master’s student in Environmental Studies at UNCW, where she is leading a Marsh Organ experiment in the Endriss and the CES Lab to understand the effects of salinity, sea level rise, and management techniques on Phragmites australis in coastal North Carolina. This experiment has only been possible through collaboration with NERRS, and highlights Taylor’s passion for invasive plant control, problem solving, and practical environmental conservation and conducting research that informs coastal land management decisions.  

Katherine Anarde, North Carolina State University

Tracking beach state changes daily at Masonboro Island Reserve