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DETERMINING FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE SMOOTH CORDGRASS (SPARTINA ALTERNIFLORA LOISEL) TRANSPLANT SUCCESS IN COMMUNITY-BASED LIVING SHORELINE PROJECTS
Title
DETERMINING FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE SMOOTH CORDGRASS (SPARTINA ALTERNIFLORA LOISEL) TRANSPLANT SUCCESS IN COMMUNITY-BASED LIVING SHORELINE PROJECTS.
Creator
Carrion, Steven A, Walters, Linda J., University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Efforts to mitigate shoreline erosion through living shoreline methods along the USA Atlantic seaboard have often incorporated the cultivation and transplantation of smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora. Assessments of these transplants at several sites in the Indian River Lagoon have shown that survival is variable after a year (survival: 10-93%). Lower survival has been attributed to environmental variables such as dislodgement by wave energy, and transplant shock due to salinity changes...
Show moreEfforts to mitigate shoreline erosion through living shoreline methods along the USA Atlantic seaboard have often incorporated the cultivation and transplantation of smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora. Assessments of these transplants at several sites in the Indian River Lagoon have shown that survival is variable after a year (survival: 10-93%). Lower survival has been attributed to environmental variables such as dislodgement by wave energy, and transplant shock due to salinity changes from cultivation to estuarine conditions. To improve living shoreline projects, we examined the effects of cultivation salinity (0 ppt, 15ppt) on transplantation success, and the success of anchoring plants to biodegradable mats (Jute mesh, 5 individuals per 50 cm2) and utilizing oyster bags as breakwaters in facilitating reestablishment of new transplants. Spartina alterniflora individuals were grown under salinity treatments for 20 weeks; plants grown in 15 ppt produced new shoots with significantly greater heights than those grown in freshwater. The plants were then transplanted to two sites in the IRL, and monitored after four weeks. After four weeks there was a greater net increase in stem density and larger decrease in plant height for plants grown in 15 ppt. Jute-mesh mats and oyster bags did not impact growth or survival of transplants. Low-saline (15 ppt) conditions increased shoot growth of the project by 50% in four weeks at a cost of 30 cents per additional shoot produced by an individual. Longer-term monitoring will determine if benefits persist or decrease over time, and if the cost is justified by the benefits.
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Date Issued
2016
Identifier
CFH2000068, ucf:45538
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000068
ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF OYSTER REEF AND LIVING SHORELINE RESTORATION ON MACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITY ASSEMBLAGES IN MOSQUITO LAGOON, FLORIDA
Title
ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF OYSTER REEF AND LIVING SHORELINE RESTORATION ON MACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITY ASSEMBLAGES IN MOSQUITO LAGOON, FLORIDA.
Creator
Searles, Adam, Cook, Geoffrey, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
As the world continues to experience substantial rates of habitat loss, habitat restoration has become of prime interest to ecologists worldwide. Restoration has shown to be successful in recovering targeted components of certain ecosystems but it is important to achieve a holistic understanding of the resulting ecological impacts it has on communities. To address this, four oyster reefs and three living shorelines were restored during the summer of 2017. These sites, along with four dead...
Show moreAs the world continues to experience substantial rates of habitat loss, habitat restoration has become of prime interest to ecologists worldwide. Restoration has shown to be successful in recovering targeted components of certain ecosystems but it is important to achieve a holistic understanding of the resulting ecological impacts it has on communities. To address this, four oyster reefs and three living shorelines were restored during the summer of 2017. These sites, along with four dead oyster reefs, four living oyster reefs, and three undisturbed (control) living shorelines, were sampled before restoration and regularly post-restoration for one year using lift nets. Macroinvertebrates were collected and enumerated in the lab. Diversity indices, community composition, and similarity percentages were then calculated and compared across treatments, time, and treatment-by-time. Live reefs displayed significantly higher species richness and Shannon diversity than restored and dead reefs. Simpson diversity did not differ between live and restored oyster reefs but both were significantly higher than dead reefs. Though not statistically detectable, species richness and Shannon diversity on restored reefs were relatively similar to dead reefs before restoration but became increasingly similar to live reefs over the course of the study. Additionally, analyses revealed significantly different community compositions between live reefs and restored reefs, as well as between live and dead reefs. Living shorelines showed no significant differences in diversity indices but did experience similar seasonal fluctuations in diversity across treatments. Just as with oyster reefs, restored and control living shorelines harbored significantly different communities across time. The findings of this study emphasize the need for dedication to thorough monitoring and multi-metric evaluation of success in restoration efforts. This study and future research will equip resource managers with ways to quantify the effects of restoration that will consider several important ecosystem components.
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Date Issued
2019
Identifier
CFH2000545, ucf:45646
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000545
Community-based coastal restoration: long term impacts on habitats and people in Volusia County
Title
Community-based coastal restoration: long term impacts on habitats and people in Volusia County.
Creator
Wimmer, Rachel, Walters, Linda, Donnelly, Melinda, Koontz, Amanda, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Coastal habitats provide invaluable economic and ecosystem services. However, coastlines are eroding at increasing rates due to anthropogenic and climate driven changes. Grey and green infrastructure solutions have been proposed to retard the decay of coastlines, with oysters serving as a popular living shoreline. Three community-based stabilizations that implemented living shorelines and engaged local communities in restoration efforts over the past decade in Volusia County were revisited to...
Show moreCoastal habitats provide invaluable economic and ecosystem services. However, coastlines are eroding at increasing rates due to anthropogenic and climate driven changes. Grey and green infrastructure solutions have been proposed to retard the decay of coastlines, with oysters serving as a popular living shoreline. Three community-based stabilizations that implemented living shorelines and engaged local communities in restoration efforts over the past decade in Volusia County were revisited to determine if they were successful and if they produced positive public perceptions of success. Chicken Island, which was restored after waves, boat wakes, tides, and adverse weather altered the natural shoreline, had significant increases in oyster size and density but an unsuccessful deployment of mangrove seedlings. The Port Orange study site installed living shoreline along existing sea wall and experienced low oyster recruitment, limited success with S. alterniflora propagation, and high cover of bare sediment. The Mosquito Lagoon Marine Enhancement Center had high vegetative cover and biodiversity and decreases in oyster density likely due to the development of healthy, mature oyster reefs. A survey of volunteers who participated in these three restoration projects was also conducted to determine if there is a tie in ecosystem function produced through restoration and community perceptions of restoration success. While there were not enough survey responses to draw conclusions, the responses were indicative of the future research needed to understand volunteer identities and sense of place as they relate to the human-nature system. To improve the long-term success of living shorelines, it is critical to not only select restoration methods appropriate for the specific location of the restoration, but to involve local communities to increase sense of self and investment in restoration efforts.
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Date Issued
2019
Identifier
CFE0007878, ucf:52781
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007878