Mentor/s
Dr. Jennifer Mattei
Participation Type
Paper Talk
Abstract
Coastal areas provide a variety of ecosystem services such as wave attenuation, wind breaking, and serving as habitat for a number of species (Davis et al. 2015). However, many of these areas have been degraded and destabilized due to human activity. Rising sea levels and increases in storm frequency and intensity threaten many regions, and have the potential to cause a substantial amount of property damage. Methods such as the installation of sea walls can alleviate some of these concerns, but they do not provide all the benefits that a natural shoreline can. Living shorelines, which refer to green and environmentally friendly infrastructure techniques, may serve as a better alternative due to their proven benefits ((Buccino et al. 2013). This paper examines the methods utilized to create a living shoreline and its impacts on habitat formation at Stratford Point. We found that Spartina alternoflora seagrasses were able to successfully grow and help establish a low marsh. Reef Balls were found to serve as habitat for oysters, and also did not appear to impact the spawning of Horseshoe Crabs. The methods utilized here serve as a model for future restoration efforts and showcase the positive impacts a Living Shoreline can have on coastal stability.
College and Major available
Biology
Location
Panel H: University Commons UC 105
Start Day/Time
4-20-2018 2:00 PM
End Day/Time
4-20-2018 3:00 PM
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.
Prize Categories
Most Scholarly Impact or Potential, Most Meaningful
Restoration Efforts at Stratford Point: The Development of a Living Shoreline
Panel H: University Commons UC 105
Coastal areas provide a variety of ecosystem services such as wave attenuation, wind breaking, and serving as habitat for a number of species (Davis et al. 2015). However, many of these areas have been degraded and destabilized due to human activity. Rising sea levels and increases in storm frequency and intensity threaten many regions, and have the potential to cause a substantial amount of property damage. Methods such as the installation of sea walls can alleviate some of these concerns, but they do not provide all the benefits that a natural shoreline can. Living shorelines, which refer to green and environmentally friendly infrastructure techniques, may serve as a better alternative due to their proven benefits ((Buccino et al. 2013). This paper examines the methods utilized to create a living shoreline and its impacts on habitat formation at Stratford Point. We found that Spartina alternoflora seagrasses were able to successfully grow and help establish a low marsh. Reef Balls were found to serve as habitat for oysters, and also did not appear to impact the spawning of Horseshoe Crabs. The methods utilized here serve as a model for future restoration efforts and showcase the positive impacts a Living Shoreline can have on coastal stability.
