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Ridge to Reef (R2R): Processes and Interdependent Drivers of Small Island Resilience Award No. OIA-1946412 VI-EPSCoR Site Visit 2023 SITE VISIT SEPTEMBER 27 – 29, 2023 Research Theme 1 Research Theme 2 Research Theme 3 Research Theme 4 Research Theme 5 Research Theme 6 Research Theme 7 Watershed Monitoring & Land Use Mangrove Ecosystem Function, Recovery & Restoration Emerging Research Areas Fish Ecology Oceanography Marine Disease And Restoration Coral Reef Resilience R2R RESEARCH – 7 Research Themes 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Tyler Smith – Coral Reef Resilience Research Theme 1: Watershed Monitoring & Land Use 2023 SITE VISIT David Hensley Monitoring the terrestrial inputs to the marine ecosystem by understanding Virgin Islands hydrology and quantifying the effects of land use on pollutant mobilizations Introduction Watershed Monitoring & Land Use 2023 SITE VISIT David Hensley – Watershed Monitoring and Land Use Meet The Team David Hensley, research lead Dr. Brittany Lancellotti, postdoctoral fellow 2023 SITE VISIT David Hensley – Watershed Monitoring and Land Use Sabrina Sorace*, graduate research assistant SaVaughna John- Baptiste*, undergraduate research assistant Race Stryker, graduate research assistant N’Bari Alexander, undergraduate research assistant N’Quoia Christian, undergraduate research assistant Zach Eldridge, graduate exchange student (UF) Comprehensive review article on the state of knowledge of USVI hydrology in review Four more watershed monitoring sites established (2 major STT watersheds, 2 STX) Water quality (nutrient and sediment) datasets produced, under analysis Land use soil moisture mapping successful Major accomplishments Spanning seven watersheds (but focused on two), and encompassing four land-use additional land use studies at several scales: 1) Watershed scale 2) Field scale 3) Plot scale And engaging graduate and undergraduate student researchers (5 total) in earth sciences. 2023 SITE VISIT David Hensley – Watershed Monitoring and Land Use Year 1 REFERENCE SAMPLES COLLECTED; EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED Year 2 MONITORING SITES ESTABLISHED, REGULAR MONITORING Year 3 RESPONSE TO MAJOR RAINY SEASON, CONCLUDED SEVERAL LAND BASED EXPERIMENTS ResearchGoals And Objectives 2023 SITE VISIT David Hensley – Watershed Monitoring and Land Use Publication of manuscript on ground cover usage to reduce runoff and encourage groundwater recharge Publication of graduate student research (R. Stryker) in vegetated conservation buffers to prevent sedimentation Establishment of “rating curves” for Virgin Islands watersheds and watershed modelling Year 4 Goals Significant datasets from all research goals of the Watershed and Land Use section are now produced. Most of our current goals are to analyze and publish results: • Publish graduate student research on vegetative buffers • Publish plantain/mulch study results • Refine hydrological data (discharge, sediment and nutrient curves, and develop robust rating curves • Present hydrological results at AGU Goal WL2 Goal WL2 Goal WL1 David Hensley – Watershed Monitoring and Land Use 2023 SITE VISIT Results, Outcomes & Accomplishments ✓Sediment reference sample spectra reveal land- use signature (violet-blue range) ✓The first known rating curves in the Virgin Islands have been developed: requires refinement ✓Soil moisture temporal response to precipitation ✓Nutrient concentrations ✓Soil moisture mapping ✓Comprehensive review paper 2023 SITE VISIT David Hensley – Watershed Monitoring and Land Use 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.4 Discahrge, m3/s Water level, m Upstream Salt River rating curve Manning curve Measured flow Cropland signature stands out in violet range Coastal headlands stand out Watersheds Mangroves Seagrass Fish Ecology Coral Reef Resilience Research Interdependencies • Connectivity questions affect whether mangrove environments receive inputs of fresh water, nutrient, and sediment. • Fish and coral reef ecology are affected by the presence of sediments in the water – and quantity matters • Shorelines and Sargassum interactions can affect whether freshwater discharges into the sea 2023 SITE VISIT David Hensley – Watershed Monitoring and Land Use RESEARCH INTERDEPENDENCIES Mangroves: Antecedent soil moisture has major role in watershed connectivity & mangrove sediment deposition (left) Fish Ecology: Even after normalizing by watershed size, undeveloped Reef Bay fluxed several times less sediment than Fish Bay (right) Shorelines and Sargassum: May determine whether discharge occurs (below) 2023 SITE VISIT David Hensley – Watershed Monitoring and Land Use Total rain = 438 mm Max rate = 279 mm/h Mangrove sediments = 12.4 mg/cm2/d Total rain = 182 mm Max rate = 84 mm/h Mangrove sediments = 17.3 mg/cm2/d NOVEMBER 2022 FISH BAY 2.17x greater total water discharge than Reef Bay REEF BAY 1.79x less sediment concentration than Fish Bay UNDERSTANDING FLUXES IN WATERSHEDS HYDROLOGICAL RESEARCH CAPACITY RESOURCE MANAGEMENT INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION PROMOTING WATER SUSTAINABILITY Predictions of flux (water, pollutants) possible for the first time in the VI through watershed modeling – assisting stakeholders and managers Building capacity to carry out fundamental soil and hydrological research previously less represented at UVI Surface water hydrology helps the USVI respond to drought and floods (climate change) while protecting the marine zone Connecting terrestrial science in the USVI (agriculture and forestry) with marine scientists Bringing attention and awareness though outreach and data collection to surface water and water security in the USVI Broader Impacts, Intellectual Merit, & Sustainability 2023 SITE VISIT David Hensley – Watershed Monitoring and Land Use Diversity Interactions with farmers (extension) Community outreach events Site visits Student engagement Stakeholders and policymakers Field trips 2023 SITE VISIT David Hensley – Watershed Monitoring and Land Use Collaborations 2023 SITE VISIT David Hensley – Watershed Monitoring and Land Use Ecohydrology Ecohydrology of Virgin Islands plant covers (evapotranspiration of soil water and interception of rainwater) Ponds Function and role of freshwater ponds (recharge, habitat, resource, research site) Remote sensing Sediment discharge remote sensing automatic detection Future Plans 2023 SITE VISIT David Hensley – Watershed Monitoring and Land Use Thank you! David Hensley EMAIL: david.hensley@uvi.edu PHONE: 713-444-2659 2023 SITE VISIT Research Theme 2: Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration Introduction 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration Meet The Team Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes, Research Associate Professor Allie Durdall, M.Sc., Marine & Watershed Specialist 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration Virgin Islanders *indicates current lab members (3) NSF SEAS Islands Allianceand Securing STEM Island Pathways Workfellows: Allison Holevoet* Zola Roper Kwami Alexander (1) Post- DoctoralResearcher: Dr. Heather Stewart (20) UndergraduateStudents: (not all pictured) Aaliya Warner Rawlins* Hiba Hussein* Sydney Taylor* Lorely Granados* Megan Anthony* Shomyra Francis* Naye Fernandez* Savannah Carroll* Denny Gonzalez Kaidrian Ottley Molly Mason Miranda Goad Tara Thompson Zachary Briggs Amanda Boissiere VerNele Callwood Nicholas Durgadeen Ian Jin Ellie Tanko Heather Bruck (9) MMES GraduateStudents: Laura Palomino Bloem* Lila Uzzell* Kayla Halliday* Jordan Silva* Julia Plotkin* Sarai Hutchinson* Ella Troutman* Stephanie Hibberts (4) High SchoolStudents: D'janiHurtault Elyse Ayala Flame Gonzalez TJ Roy Kanesha Tonge Goal M1 Investigate current and historic USVI mangrove distribution, recovery, and loss. Goal M2 Grow USVI mangrove restoration opportunities. Goal M3 Share USVI mangrove research with stakeholders and provide opportunities for new partnerships. ResearchGoals And Objectives 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration Research, Outcomes & Accomplishments M1. Investigate current and historic USI mangrove distribution, recovery, and loss (Years 1-3). 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration ST. JOHN GRROE USVI Mangroves started; Territorial Mangrove Monitoring Program (TMMP) established, 2 years of data collected. Research, Outcomes & Accomplishments M1. Investigate current and historic USI mangrove distribution, recovery, and loss (Years 1-3). 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration 19 Sites Each site has 3 x 0.01 ha radial plots ST. THOMAS ST. CROIX ST. JOHN GRROE USVI Mangroves started; Territorial Mangrove Monitoring Program (TMMP) established, 2 years of data collected. Geologic coring completed; analyses underway. Drone certification obtained. Historical analyses started. Results, Outcomes & Accomplishments ✓24 cores collected in Year 1; 14 collected in Year 2 ✓Sediment carbon density ranged from 2.72-91.55 mgC/cm^3 with a mean of 40.37; significant differences observed by typology ✓MMES student, Julia Plotkin, trained in elemental analysis through collaboration with University of South Carolina ✓Julia is an employee of VI DPNR, Div. Of Fish & Wildlife 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration Plotkin et al., unpublished data M1. Investigate current and historic USI mangrove distribution, recovery, and loss (Years 1-3). Results, Outcomes & Accomplishments 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration Grimes et al., unpublished data ✓Coarse woody debris is variable across sites, but higher in STT and STJ ✓Most sites have large amounts of fine woody debris M1. Investigate current and historic USI mangrove distribution, recovery, and loss (Years 1-3). Results, Outcomes & Accomplishments ✓Natural regeneration (propagules, seedlings, saplings) is low across sites and islands (<1 individual per m^2) ✓Active restoration may be needed at some sites, especially St. John 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration Grimes et al., unpublished data Laguncularia racemosa Rhizophora mangle Avicennia germinans M1. Investigate current and historic USI mangrove distribution, recovery, and loss (Years 1-3). Research, Outcomes & Accomplishments M1. Investigate current and historic USI mangrove distribution, recovery, and loss (Years 1-3). 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration UVI St. Thomas mangrove nursery established. 3 mangrove seedlings grown for local restoration projects; intake metrics recorded, seedlings monitored. Nursery and outplanting experiments conducted (sprouting, container type, substrate, planting arrangement). Educational training provided for students, and community volunteers. Research, Outcomes & Accomplishments M2. Grow USVI mangrove restoration opportunities (Years 1-3). 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration Results, Outcomes & Accomplishments ✓Nursery survivorship varies by species ✓R. mangle propagules grow equally well in all container types and container type has no effect on outplanting success. ✓Recycled, crushed glass is a viable substrate to grow R. mangle in nursery settings (survivorship: 98% in glass, 99% in soil). However, soil-grown plants grow faster and larger than glass-grown plants. 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration ❖Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove): 3,355 planted, 74% nursery survivorship ❖Laguncularia racemosa (white mangrove): 3,789 planted, 21% nursery survivorship ❖Avicennia germinans (black mangroves): 969 planted, 58% nursery survivorship *Numbers current as of Aug 2023. Holevoet et al., unpublished data AB = Annaberg, St. John OC = Oasis Cove, St. Thomas PR = Perseverence, St. Thomas ST = St. Thomas East End Reserves, St. Thomas glass soil M2. Grow USVI mangrove restoration opportunities (Years 1-3). Research, Outcomes & Accomplishments 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration M3. Share USVI mangrove research with stakeholders and provide opportunities for new partnerships. First community workshop held to create a shared vision for mangrove restoration and determine criteria for prioritizing restoration sites. Survey of Community Perceptions of Mangroves launched. Bloem et al., unpublished data Annual, territory-wide Great Mangrove Cleanups events conducted. Educational partnerships: Mangroves in the Classroom, USVI Storm Strong Program Outreach: community events, newspaper articles, blogs, newsletters, social media Research shared at local, national, and international conferences. Place-based educational curricula, outreach books, and policy documents created. Research, Outcomes & Accomplishments M3. Share USVI mangrove research with stakeholders and provide opportunities for new partnerships. 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration Follow us on Instagram! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= Hr8WLBQPVKs Research, Outcomes & Accomplishments M3. Share USVI mangrove research with stakeholders and provide opportunities for new partnerships. 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration Annual, territory-wide Great Mangrove Cleanups events conducted. Educational partnerships: Mangroves in the Classroom, USVI Storm Strong Program Outreach: community events, newspaper articles, blogs, newsletters, social media Research shared at local, national, and international conferences. Place-based educational curricula, outreach books, and policy documents created. RESEARCH INTERDEPENDENCIES Our work strongly supports the goals of Informal Learning, VI-ISERP, and more broadly, restoration. The Mangroves in the Classroom and USVI Storm Strong Programs support place-based, hand-on learning for USVI youth and co-creation of curricula with USVI educators; learning exchanges provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and faculty; the Great Mangrove Cleanups engage hundreds of community volunteers; paid internships provide support and training. 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration Diversity 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration 38 of 40 folks are from underrepresented groups in the geosciences! • 5 public events, 11 nursery tours, 4 summer camps • 2 DPNR CZM Science Saturdays • 943 folks engaged • 113 mangrove cleanup volunteers Our lab is committed to diversity and inclusion; we foster this in many ways. On our team In the community* Now, and into the future • 286 students, 10 teachers from 8 schools (5 public, 3 private) • 41 summer camp students 18 are Virgin Islanders! • 72 students from 3 classrooms • 2 URM high school interns hired • all Title 1 schools * Numbers for year 3 only. Participant diversity isn't collected. According to the 2020 census the USVI community is (76% African American or Black, 17% Hispanic or Latino) 1,464 folks in Year 3 alone • NSF Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES, SEAS Islands Alliance • NSF Cultural Transformation in the Geosciences, Navigating Home • NSF EPSCOR RII- BEC, Securing STEM Island Pathways • NSF BIO LEAPS, C-COAST Collaborations 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration Year 4 Goals 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes – Mangrove Ecosystem Function & Recovery and Mangrove Restoration The mangrove research theme has four goals for the coming year: • Monitor and synthesize mangrove recovery data • Advance mangrove restoration • Engage community • Share our work Thank you! Allie Durdall, M.Sc. EMAIL: allie.durdall@uvi.edu Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes EMAIL: kristin.wilson@uvi.edu 2023 SITE VISIT Research Theme 3: Emerging Areas Movement Ecology of macrofauna in a changing seagrass environment 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Paul Jobsis Meet The Team Andrew McGregor MMES Graduate student Madison Miele MMES Graduate Student Taylor Brunson MMES Graduate Jordon Wilson President UVI Sea Turtle Club UVI Undergraduate Student Corinne Johnson MMES Graduate Student Max Klemm Vice President UVI Sea Turtle Club UVI Undergraduate Student Dr. Paul Jobsis Dr. Kayla Blincow 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Paul Jobsis – Emerging Areas / Movement Ecology Photo from Public turtle tagging New Brewers Bay Array layout Research Themes and Emerging Areas 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Paul Jobsis – Emerging Areas / Movement Ecology Movement Ecology using a Fine Scale Positioning Acoustic Array Brewers Bay is undergoing dramatic changes in its seagrass meadows and related communities due to an invasive seagrass Halaphila stipulacea. The installation of an 68 –receiver FPS acoustic array by VI-EPSCoR allows fine-scale tracking of its macrofauna such as green sea turtles, giant hermit crabs and stingrays as the bay changes. Halophila. stipulacea dominated Brewers Bay - 2019 Green turtles in a Syringodium filiforme dominated Brewers Bay - 2012 New 68 receiver FPS acoustic array 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Paul Jobsis – Emerging Areas / Movement Ecology Green sea turtles select native seagrasses H. stipulacea H. wrightii S. filiforme Movement Ecology Completed Year 3 Goals 1. Measure impacts of invasive seagrass, H. stipulacea, on animals adapted to the native seagrass meadows. - TB 2. Include undergraduate and graduate students in active research projects. 3. Conduct a turtle tagging outreach event. 4. Present research results in national and international conferences and journals. 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Paul Jobsis – Emerging Areas / Movement Ecology Movement Ecology Year 4 Goals • Maintain array and collect stingray movement and benthic habitat data • Continue public sea turtle tagging with VIMAS and VI-ISERP participation • Have two masters students complete their FPS-related theses • Submit two manuscripts on FPS movement ecology studies • Continue animal tagging and maintain FPS array to leverage additional grant and donated funds. 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Paul Jobsis – Emerging Areas / Movement Ecology Brunson et al non-FPS submitted Cassell et al. (non-FPS) accepted Research Broader Impacts, Interdependencies, and Collaborations 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Paul Jobsis – Emerging Areas / Movement Ecology ▪Broader Impacts: This data has been used in NMFS' effort to identify marine areas for critical habitat of the green sea turtle as part of an ESA review (2023). USVI DFW will receive data as part of their management of ESA-listed species. ▪Interdependencies: Other Emerging Research Areas (Cruz-Rivera and G. Guannel VIMAS, Reef Bay research (R. Nemeth and K. Blincow), Formal Education (M. Guannel Sci100), formal and informal education within VI- EPSCoR. ▪Collaborations: Kelly Stewart (Ocean Foundation), Kristen Hart (USGS), Larry Wood (Florida Hawksbill Project), Karen Bjorndal (Archie Carr Center, UF), Dr. Stephen Ratchford (UVI), and the VINP St John Sea Turtle project, USVI Division Fish & Wildlife, and US Fish and Wildlife Service (Claudia Lumbard, Sandy Point St Croix). ▪Partners: Lana Vento Charitable Trust, Baird Family Trust, Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, National Park Service, Ocean Foundation, the Hawksbill Project, and the National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation. Thank you! Dr. Paul Jobsis EMAIL: PJobsis@uvi.edu PHONE: 340-690-7500 2023 SITE VISIT Research Theme 3: Emerging Areas Seagrass and Sargassum Ecology 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Edwin Cruz-Rivera Marine invasions and harmful algal blooms Introduction 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Edwin Cruz-Rivera – Emerging Areas / Seagrass Ecology Madyson Miller Graduate Student Olivia Diana Graduate Student Matthew Souza Graduate Student JendahyeAntoine Graduate Student Dr. D. Christopher Rogers University of Kansas. Kansas Biological Survey ​ Dr. Stacy Krueger-Hadfield Univ. Alabama, Birmingham Meet The Team Edwin Cruz-Rivera – Associate Professor MSU/UVI 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Edwin Cruz-Rivera – Emerging Areas / Seagrass Ecology Year 1 • Assess how Halophila spread links to herbivory Year 2 • Study the effect of Halophila on predator-prey interactions and seagrass community Year 3 • Assess physiological tolerance of Halophila to selected variables • Analyze how the emergence of floating Sargassum relates to genetic diversity ResearchGoals And Objectives 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Edwin Cruz-Rivera – Emerging Areas / Seagrass Ecology Seagrass Research • The invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea is now found in >24 Caribbean countries and often dominates seagrass meadows • Does this spread relate to palatability? Enemy Release Hypothesis ✓Choice and no-choice experiments compared native and invasive seagrass against seven Caribbean herbivores ✓Seagrass mechanical, chemical, and nutritional properties were measured ✓Lower palatability of the invasive varied among species and was not explained by any given trait measured 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Edwin Cruz-Rivera – Emerging Areas / Seagrass Ecology Omalacantha bicornuta P < 0.001 N = 20 -20 0 20 40 60 80 A B B B Mithraculus sculptus P = 0.440 N = 20 Halodule Halophila Syringodium Thalassia Consumption (mg/individual/day) 0 10 20 30 40 Mithraculus coryphe P < 0.001 N = 20 Halodule Halophila Syringodium Thalassia 0 10 20 30 40 50 Echinometra lucunter P = 0.657 N = 20 0 10 20 30 40 A B B B Seagrass Research • Intraspecific variation in palatability can rival that of interspecific patterns • Pairwise comparisons were performed with H. stipulacea from four sites and three depths, expose to three grazers ✓Most comparisons did not suggest differences but plants from the deep meadows of Lindbergh Bay were moderately more palatable 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Edwin Cruz-Rivera – Emerging Areas / Seagrass Ecology • Seagrass beds of native, mixed, or invasive seagrass differ in characteristics that could influence predation risk • Tethering experiments with two prey species did not support an effect of bed type on predation 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Edwin Cruz-Rivera – Emerging Areas / Seagrass Ecology Seagrass Research Seagrass Research • Vacuum samples were obtained from three seagrass bed types, inside, at the edge, and outside beds • Faunal density was higher inside beds, regardless of type 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Edwin Cruz-Rivera – Emerging Areas / Seagrass Ecology Dr. D. C. Rogers Univ. of Kansas Sargassum Research First run of Hiplex sequencing finished (outsourced to Floragenex) ✓Second run underway 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Edwin Cruz-Rivera – Emerging Areas / Seagrass Ecology Species/Morphotype SNPs Sargassum fluitans III 1,150 S. natans I 1,759 S. natans VIII 1,374 S. polyceratium 1,755 • Monitor the expansion of invasive seagrass beds and compare the tolerance of native and invasive seagrass to environmental stressors • Proposal development • Analyze the impact of stranded Sargassum on water quality • Proposal development Year 4 Goals 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Edwin Cruz-Rivera – Emerging Areas / Seagrass Ecology Movement ecology Watershed research Coral Reefs Mangroves Shoreline response Research Interdependencies 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Edwin Cruz-Rivera – Emerging Areas / Seagrass Ecology Collaborations 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Edwin Cruz-Rivera – Emerging Areas / Seagrass Ecology Thank you! Dr. Edwin Cruz-Rivera EMAIL: Edwin.cruz-rivera@morgan.edu PHONE: (443) 885-2373 2023 SITE VISIT Research Theme 3: Emerging Areas Shoreline Response 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Gregory Guannel Meet The Team Greg Guannel, Ph.D. Bret Webb, Ph.D. (USA) 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Gregory Guannel – Emerging Areas / Shoreline Response Edwin Cruz-Rivera, Ph.D. (Morgan State) Nikita Beck, Research Tech. Joe Dwyer (Lynker) Deborah Fernandes, Ph.D. Student Zoe Price, M.S. Student Dishon Heyliger, Undergrad Student Tamia Grant, Undergrad Student Joleen Buchanan, Undergrad Student Introduction • Coastal hazards and their impacts are intensifying because of coastal development patterns, land use practices and climate change • Natural habitats are seen as potential tool to help reduce impacts • Seagrass (and other habitats) might play important role in sequestering sediment and moderating impacts of hazards • Little is known about coastal processes in the USVI 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Gregory Guannel – Emerging Areas / Shoreline Response ResearchGoals And Objectives 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Gregory Guannel – Emerging Areas / Shoreline Response Research Goal: Quantify the role of seagrass type in short and long-term beach evolution. Year 1 Identify and recruit graduate student Identify study sites Acquire field survey equipment Student identified and hired. Field equipment acquired and field methods developed. Coastal characterization starts. Year 2 Deploy Equipment and Data Acquisition Equipment tested and used to characterize coastal environment. UVI undergrad student hired. Coastal observations start. Year 3 Linking Seagrass Hydrodynamics with Beach Response Further characterization of coastal environment and processes. M.S. Student identified. Observations continue. Paperwork between UVI and USA finalized. Wave climate and climate hazards mapped and quantified Coastal environment of the VI mapped and characterized Active monitoring of nearshore wave field and beach response Testing remote sensing techniques to improve observations (Argus Cameras) 2 peer-reviewed publications (https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2022.923965, https://doi.org/10.1142/9789811275135_0196 ) Research, Outcomes & Accomplishments 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Gregory Guannel – Emerging Areas / Shoreline Response Research Interdependencies Coastal response to hazards is highly dependent on land use practices, watershed and sediment processes, and coastal ecosystems, including seagrass. 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Gregory Guannel – Emerging Areas / Shoreline Response Coastal Response Seagrass and Coral Reefs Wetlands Watersheds Student Engagement Understanding of USVI Coastal Processes Improved Understanding of Green Infrastructure Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange with Local Agencies Collaboration with EPSCoR States/Territories Many undergraduates are exposed to STEM activities that had not offered at UVI until now Literature about USVI coastal systems and processes is rare. We are publishing and engaging stakeholders about this topic. We have 2 peer reviewed publications on this topic and well underway in field efforts Close collaboration with Coastal Zone Management, and strong linkages with USGS Increased collaboration with Puerto-Rico, and strong collaboration with Alabama Broader Impacts, Intellectual Merit, & Sustainability 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Gregory Guannel – Emerging Areas / Shoreline Response Future Plans 2023 SITE VISIT Dr. Gregory Guannel – Emerging Areas / Shoreline Response • Deployment of remote sensing equipment at select sites • On-site monitoring of select sites • Creation of wind-wave generation tool • Creation of wave atlas for the USVI • Finalization of green infrastructure catalog for coastal systems • Monitoring of hydrodynamics and beach response in seagrass dominated nearshore regions Thank you! Dr. Gregory Guannel EMAIL: gregory.guannel@uvi.edu PHONE: 340-693-1158 2023 SITE VISIT