Spring 2016 - Atlantic Estuarine Research Society

 A​
TLANTIC​
E​
STUARINE R​
ESEARCH​
S​
OCIETY S​
PRING​
M​
EETING​
2016 “Urban Estuaries” 10­12 March, 2016 Chesapeake Bay Foundation Brock Environmental Center Virginia Beach, VA Page 1 of 56 AERS GOVERNING BOARD Treda Smith Grayson, ​
President Danielle Kreeger, ​
President Elect Mark Brush, ​
Past President; Nominations Sam Lake, ​
Treasurer Ben Fertig​
, Program Chair Shelley Sullivan, ​
Membership David Yozzo, ​
Endowment Chris Heyer, ​
Web Page Julie Ambler, ​
AERSNews Editor Steve Fuller, ​
Parliamentarian David O’Neill, ​
Constitution Leila Hamdan​
, Historian Judith Stribling, ​
Honorary Members Lora Harris, ​
Member­at­Large Roberto Llanso, ​
Member­at­Large Joe Luczkovich, ​
Member­at­Large C.J. Carroll Schlick,​
Student Representative Page 2 of 56 Welcome to the AERS Spring 2016 meeting! We are excited to bring together scientists, students, managers, and educators to discuss estuarine and coastal environments. ​
AERS welcomes presentations from ALL areas of estuarine and coastal science. With growing populations in coastal cities along the Atlantic, there are increasing demands being placed on many environments. Estuarine functions of shoreline stabilization, soil retention, nutrient cycling and habitat are important to the long­term success of both natural and human populations. In southeast Virginia, urban estuaries represent resilient transitional habitats that provide pivotal roles to natural resources and the people that live and work in this region. Several unique challenges include balancing socio­economic needs with conservation and restoration of ecological functions in impacted estuaries. Keynote​
speakers/panelists include ​
Dr. Andrew Elmore​
(University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Appalachian Laboratory), ​
Mr. William A. (Skip) Stiles, Jr. ​
(Wetlands Watch), and ​
Dr. Ariana Sutton­Grier​
(University of Maryland, Earth System Science Center). These experts will present and discuss challenges facing urban estuaries, and how such challenges are being addressed nationwide. The meeting will include Thursday ​
workshops​
, ​
field trips​
on Thursday and Saturday, a Friday auction, and contributed paper and poster sessions on varied estuarine topics with student awards. Please stay for the AERS​
​
Business Meeting at the end of the day Friday.​
​
Help shape your regional CERF affiliate by providing feedback and input to better suit your needs. ​
Willing to help out? Join one of the standing committees! Please reach out to any of the AERS Governing Board Members! The Friday Banquet will be held at The Lesner Inn Catering Club, 3319 Shore Drive ­ Virginia Beach, VA 23451. ​
Student awards​
are presented before meeting’s end. Winners receive a one­year membership to the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation with a lovely certificate. TALKS​
can be loaded directly onto the presentation computer. Be sure to preview your presentation. Once approved, the file cannot be changed. Friday AM talks MUST be loaded by the end of the first break. Friday PM talks MUST be loaded by the end of Friday lunch break. Saturday talks before the break MUST be loaded by the end of last break on Friday. Saturday talks after the break MUST be loaded by the end of the Saturday break. ​
POSTERS​
can be set up starting at 6:00pm on Thursday evening for previewing. All posters MUST be set up by end of lunch on Friday. Tacks, poster board, and easels will be available. A hearty round of thanks to Local Hosts ​
Todd Egerton​
(Old Dominion University),​
Joe Rieger (Elizabeth River Project), and ​
Joe Wood ​
(Chesapeake Bay Foundation) for putting together a fantastic meeting! Much thanks also to President ​
Treda Grayson​
, President­Elect ​
Danielle Kreeger​
, and Treasurer ​
Sam Lake ​
for their tireless work behind the scenes and jobs well done! We hope you have a fun­filled and intellectually stimulating meeting! Ben Fertig and Sara Blachman, ​
AERS Program Committee Page 3 of 56 VENUE INFORMATION The venue is the recently constructed LEED Platinum Brock Environmental Center located along the Lynnhaven River at the Chesapeake Bay mouth, with plenty of nearby wetland habitats to explore (we recommend a hike in First Landing State Park, only 3 miles away). Please join us for a 45 minute tour of the building starting at 12:30 on Friday. In addition to hosting public meetings such as ours, the Brock is home to the offices of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Lynnhaven River NOW. It serves as a “living classroom” for both environmental community organizations. Designed as an “intentional model for energy­ and water­efficiency” the building’s energy comes from solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal wells. Materials are recycled using rain cisterns, waterless toilets, and natural landscaping. The building is elevated 14 feet above sea level, a reminder to the city of Virginia Beach of best practices in a region exposed to recurrent flooding and sea level rise. The street address i​
s: 3663 Marlin Bay Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23455. Parking is limited. ​
Please carpool when possible.​
It is okay to park in the surrounding neighborhoods as long as you obey all street signs. Page 4 of 56 NEARBY RESTAURANTS Taste Unlimited http://www.tasteunlimited.com/Bayville 4097 Shore Drive Great local sandwich shop with a large selection. We recommend the Northender and a jar of hot house dressing to go. Lots of outdoor seating, indoor seating limited. Decent though not inexpensive wine and beer to go. Open: 10 am – 7pm Chick’s Oyster Bar http://www.chicksoysterbar.com/ 2143 Vista Circle Local boaters hangout serving standard seafood restaurant fare. Indoor/outdoor seating overlooking the Lynnhaven River inlet. Open: 11 am – 10 pm (12 am Fri/Sat) Famous Uncle Al’s 3045 Shore Drive Classic hotdog joint that’s been open for at least 30 years with the wall decorations to prove it. Their fries are crispy, and their hot dogs taste like they came from a NYC street vendor. Open: 10:30 am – 8 pm Bay Local Eatery http://baylocalvb.com/ 2917 Shore Drive Be forewarned this breakfast and lunch place is popular Saturday & Sunday brunch spot. Local food columnists recommend the shrimp & grits. Open: 7am – 3pm Citrus http://citrusvb.com/ 357 North Great Neck Road Another breakfast and lunch option that is often crowded on the weekends. Open: 7 am – 3pm CP Shuckers http://www.cpshuckers.com/shoredrive.html 3232 Shore Drive Standard American restaurant with a late­night weekend bar scene. We recommend the Shucker Bites cooked medium rare. Open: 11 am – 1:30 am Fujiyama Sushi Bar http://www.vafujiyama.com/ 2861 Lynnhaven Drive # 112 Tasty, if not the most authentic, sushi restaurant. Good lunch specials, interesting décor, and strong green tea. Open for lunch: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm (4:30 Sat) Open for dinner: 4:30 – 10 pm (11 Fri/Sat) Croakers Neighborhood Grill http://www.croakersvb.com/indexs.php 3629 Shore Drive Serves a nice seafood dinner with local catch options. There’s an offseason cash discount available, so make sure to hit the ATM. Open: 5 pm – 10 pm Page 5 of 56 Page 6 of 56 TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome to the AERS Spring 2016 meeting!
3 VENUE INFORMATION
4 NEARBY RESTAURANTS
5 TABLE OF CONTENTS
7 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
8 FIELD TRIPS
10
WORKSHOPS
11 STUDENT TRAVEL AWARDS
12 DETAILED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
13 LIST OF CONTRIBUTED POSTERS
18 KEYNOTE BIOS AND ABSTRACTS
20
ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
23 POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
37 NOTES
48 Page 7 of 56 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE Thursday, 10 March 2016 13:00 ­ 14:30 ​
Workshops An Interactive Pictorial Key to Mid­Atlantic Decapod Zoeae
Oyster Room Social Media and Your Professional / Scientific Reputation
Horseshoe Crab Room 14:30 ­ 17:00 Field Trip Money Point and Paradise Creek Nature Park, Elizabeth River 18:00 ­ 20:00 Registration Open. Social. Poster setup. Exhibitors.
Oyster Room Friday, 11 March 2016
07:00 ­ 08:00 Registration Oyster Room 08:00 ­ 08:15
Oyster Room AERS President’s Welcome 08:15 ­ 10:15 Keynote Presentation & Panel
Oyster Room 10:15 ­ 10:45 Break 10:45 ­ 11:45 Contributed Papers: ​
Engaging the Public
Oyster Room 11:45 ­ 13:15 Boxed Lunch Oyster Room 12:30 ­ 13:15
Tour of CBF Brock Center ​
(optional) 13:15 ­ 15:15 Contributed Papers: ​
A Changing World
15:15 ­ 15:45 Break Oyster Room 15:45 ­ 17:45 Contributed Papers: ​
Urban Coasts
Oyster Room 17:45 ­ 18:30 AERS Business Meeting Oyster Room 18:30 ­ 20:00 Poster Session & Silent Auction Oyster Room 20:00 ­ ? Banquet Waterside Deck at the Lesner Inn 3319 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach Page 8 of 56 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE ​
(continued) Saturday, 12 March 2016 08:00 ­ 09:00 Registration Opens Oyster Room
09:00 ­ 10:00 Contributed Papers: ​
Nutrient Dynamics Oyster Room 10:00 ­ 10:30 Break 10:30 ­ 11:15 Contributed Papers
Oyster Room 11:15 ­ 11:45 Wrap­Up, Student Awards, 11:45 ­ 12:00 Closing Remarks & Adjourn Oyster Room 12:00 ­ 13:00
Lunch ​
(on your own)
Oyster Room 13:00 ­ 14:00 Field Trip Lynnhaven River­Pleasure House Point Canoe Trip Page 9 of 56 FIELD TRIPS Money Point and Paradise Creek Nature Park, Elizabeth River 10 March, 2016 at 2:30 pm Meet at Money Point, the address is Elizabeth River Terminals, 4100 Buell Street, Money Point, Chesapeake, VA. Directions are available on the meeting website. FREE! 6­30 participants. Join Elizabeth River Project staff to explore Money Point which was the first sediment remediation projects in the US carried out by a non­profit. The project removed over 16,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment and replaces it with over 3 acres of oyster reefs, 7 acres of wetlands and buffer, and a reclaimed river bottom. The project has resulted in reductions in fish cancer, increases in fish usage, and increases in benthic communities. Come learn about how to cleanup an urban river and how to adapt to sea level rise. Once done at Money Point, Elizabeth River Project staff will provide a guided tour of Paradise Nature Park in Portsmouth, VA. This urban park hosts an 11 acre tidal wetland project, urban stormwater projects, hiking trails and more. To sign up please email Joe Rieger (​
jrieger@elizabethriver.org​
). Please try to sign up by March 8th so we can determine if there are sufficient numbers to proceed. Lynnhaven River­Pleasure House Point Canoe Trip
$15. 6­30 participants. Subject to weather conditions. Chesapeake Bay Foundation will lead a paddle through the Lynnhaven River to see local oyster reefs and seagrass beds. ​
The trip (~1 hour) will leave directly from the Brock Environmental Center and will start promptly after the meeting ends on Saturday. To sign up please email Joe Wood (​
jwood@cbf.org​
). Please try to sign up by March 8th so we can determine if there are sufficient numbers to proceed. Page 10 of 56 12 March, 2016 at 1:00 pm WORKSHOPS An Interactive Pictorial Key to the Decapod Zoeae of the Mid­Atlantic
10 March, 2016 at 1:00 pm in the Oyster Conference Room This workshop demonstrates an easy­to­use online key to decapod zoeae. It uses original photos of diagnostic features to minimize unfamiliar terminology. This key features automatic PowerPoint links to each step in the identification process. The characters used are those easiest to see under a stereo microscope. Identified species link directly to specific web pages in http://zooplanktononline.com/ providing more detailed information on distribution, ecology, and additional photographs. Currently, the key contains 24 species of decapods plus local mysids and stomatopods. In this workshop, we will illustrate the features of the key using specific examples. Early Career / Employment Workshop 10 March, 2016 at 1:00 pm in the Horseshoe Crab Conference Room Do you need an online presence as a scientific investigator? You already have one. Just google your name and see what comes up. Would you like to have more control over what Google produces for you? This workshop will cover the importance of social media for increasing your professional reputation and increase the exposure of your work. We will also discuss the tools (LinkedIn, Twitter, blogs, etc.) that will provide the best service for your profile. This workshop will go beyond the basics of setting up profiles, into tips on maximizing your impact on social media. Page 11 of 56 STUDENT TRAVEL AWARDS AERS thanks all contributors to the Student Travel Award Fund. The fund enhances the AERS Endowment and provides additional support for student travel for this and future meetings. In so doing it aims to sustain student participation at AERS and CERF meetings. Ann Colville Powel Teacher, Student and Environmental Advocate Ann grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland and obtained a BA from Wellesley College and a master’s degree in education from George Washington University. She taught briefly in DC schools and then moved to the Fairfax County Public Schools where she taught third to fifth grade for 20 years. Toward the end of this period she became fascinated with marine biology and attended the summer program at Duke Marine Lab as part of obtaining a BA in Biology at George Mason University. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Chris Jones. Ann went on to complete an MS in Environmental Biology and then worked as a transportation and environmental advocate for over a decade in the metropolitan DC area, with particular interest in transit and air quality issues. She participated in numerous AERS and ERF meetings during this time and never lost her keen interest in marine and freshwater ecology. For the decade preceding her passing in 2013, she became active again an avocation from earlier years, painting, and participated in numerous classes and shows in the DC area and in Rochester, NY during a sabbatical there. in Page 12 of 56 DETAILED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Thursday March 10, 2016 13:00 ­ 14:30 Workshop: ​
An Interactive Pictorial Key to the Decapod Zoeae of the Mid­Atlantic Workshop: ​
Social Media and Your Professional/Scientific Reputation 14:30 ­ 17:00 Field Trip: ​
Money Point and Paradise Creek Nature Park, Elizabeth River 16:00 ­ 17:00 AERS Board Meeting 18:00 ­ 20:00 Welcoming Social, Registration, Exhibitors, Poster Setup Friday March 11, 2016 7:00 ­ 8:00 Registration Open 8:00 ­ 8:15 Welcoming Remarks:​
​
Treda Grayson (AERS President) 8:15 ­ 8:45 Keynote: Ariana Sutton­Grier Future of our coasts: The Potential of Natural and Hybrid Infrastructure in an Urbanizing World 8:45 ­ 9:15 Keynote: Andrew Elmore From mountains to the sea: Satellite remote sensing insights into the impact of urbanization on streams and surface water temperature in Chesapeake Bay 9:15 ­ 9:45 Keynote: William A. (Skip) Stiles Climate change adaptation: Opportunities for restoration? 9:45 ­ 10:15 Panel Discussion with Keynote Speakers 10:15 ­ 10:45 BREAK Page 13 of 56 Friday March 11, 2016 ​
(continued) Contributed Papers: Engaging the Public 10:45 ­ 11:00 The North Carolina King Tides Project: Promoting awareness of sea­level rise impacts through social media Christine Burns (Masters Student) 11:00 ­ 11:15 200 Proof: Distilling data from the oyster bar Carol McCollough 11:15 ­ 11:30 A 47­year­old blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) population data set is re­tooled for public consumption Adam Copeland 11:30 ­ 11:45 Improving climate literacy in middle school and high school pre­service teachers by providing resources and interactive teaching tools Melanie Fuoco (Masters Student) 11:45 ­ 12:30 LUNCH 12:30 ­ 13:15 TOUR OF CBF ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER Contributed Papers: A Changing World 13:15 ­ 13:30 Visioning CERF's Future: 2017­2021 Strategic Plan Process Susan Park 13:30 ­ 13:45 Using satellite imagery to provide high temporal resolution time series of shoreline movement for the Virginia barrier islands James Haluska (Doctoral Candidate) 13:45 ­ 14:00 Understanding Vulnerability to Climate Change: An analysis of flooding, marsh elevation and plant species communities in a tidal freshwater marsh Patricia Delgado 14:00 ­ 14:15 Evidence of successful management in an agriculturally­impacted Delaware estuary Matthew Stone (Masters Student) Page 14 of 56 14:15 ­ 14:30 Friday March 11, 2016 ​
(continued) 14:30 ­ 14:45 Is the exotic macroalga Gracilaria vermiculophylla an emerging nursery habitat for juvenile blue crabs in Chesapeake Bay? A community approach Megan Wood (Doctoral Candidate) 14:45 ­ 15:00 Empire State of Line: a review of the distribution of fish tagging and recapture data and urban locations from 1995­2015 Susanna Musick 15:00 ­ 15:15 Growth and maturity of adult alewife Alosa pseudoharengus and blueback herring Alosa aestivalis spawning in Potomac River tributaries CJ Schlick (Doctoral Candidate) 15:15 ­ 15:45 BREAK Contributed Papers: Urban Coasts 15:45 ­ 16:00 Seasonal dinoflagellate blooms in the lower James River: monitoring and management strategies Todd Egerton 16:00 ­ 16:15 Ecological restoration in New York City: Challenges, opportunities and experiments David Yozzo 16:15 ­ 16:30 The influence of urbanization at two spatial scales on blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, in Barnegat Bay, NJ Paul Jivoff 16:30 ­ 16:45 Embryonic exposure to vessel noises affects sensory responses to vibration in oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau) juveniles Cecilia Krahforst (Doctoral Candidate) Contributed Papers: A Changing World Spatial and temporal sedimentation on the seasonally vegetated subaqueous delta of the Susquehanna River, upper Chesapeake Bay Emily Russ (Doctoral Candidate) Page 15 of 56 16:45 ­ 17:00 Friday March 11, 2016 ​
(continued) 17:00 ­ 17:15 Discerning benthic habitats and fish use of Essential Fish Habitat in a North Carolina Wind Energy Planning Area Christine Voss (Doctoral Candidate) 17:15 ­ 17:30 Hurricane damage along natural and engineered shorelines in NC: An economic and environmental evaluation Carter Smith (Doctoral Candidate) 17: 30 ­ 17:45 The effect of shoreline type and watershed land­use on SAV in the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays of Maryland and Virginia J. Brooke Landry 17:45 ­ 18:30 AERS Business Meeting 18:30 ­ 20:00 Poster Session 20:00 Banquet at Lesner Inn 3319 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 Saturday March 12, 2016 8:00 ­ 9:00 Registration Open 9:00 ­ 9:15 Morning Remarks: ​
Treda Grayson Contributed Papers: Nutrient Dynamics 9:15 ­ 9:30 Effective edges: salt marsh creek banks as hotspots of biogeochemical cycling Ken Czapla ​
(Masters Student) 9:30 ­ 9:45 Are sediments a source or sink for nutrients in Barnegat Bay, NJ? John O’Connor ​
(Undergraduate) Contributed Papers: Urban Coasts (continued) What can urban land use tell us about polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBS) in fin fish from the Elizabeth River Joe Rieger Page 16 of 56 Saturday March 12, 2016 ​
(continued) Contributed Papers: Nutrient Dynamics (continued) 9:45 ­ 10:00 The effects of tidal forcing on nutrient fluxes in the tidal, freshwater James River Estuary, VA Dana Devore ​
(Masters Student) 10:00 ­ 10:15 Estuarine metabolism and zooplankton dynamics in the tidal freshwater segment of the James River Spencer Tassone ​
(Masters Student) 10:15 ­ 10:45 BREAK 10:45 ­ 11:00 Ribbed Mussels as mediators of salt marsh nitrogen removal Molly Mitchell ​
(Doctoral Candidate) 11:00 ­ 11:15 Possible nutrient release correlated with a harmful algal bloom event Joseph Pitula 11:15 ­ 11:30 The Subsidy Dilution Hypothesis: Grazer effects in a turbid eutrophic estuary Joe Wood 11:30 ­ 11:45 Student Awards 11:45 ­ 12:00 Closing Remarks and Adjourn: ​
Treda Grayson 12:00 ­ 13:00 Lunch ​
(on your own) 13:00 ­ 14:00 Field Trip: ​
Lynnhaven River­Pleasure House Point Canoe Trip Page 17 of 56 LIST OF CONTRIBUTED POSTERS Alphabetical by presenter
* Presenting author The Effects of Temperature on the Growth of Young­of­Year Blueback Herring in Potomac River Tributaries Alexander, S.*, C.J. Schlick, and K. de Mutsert Undergraduate Plans for integrating freshwater mussel restoration and shoreline stabilization in the urban corridor of the Delaware Estuary Cheng, K.M.*, D.A. Kreeger, J.A. Moody, and A.T. Padeletti Potential threats to diamondback terrapin nesting success caused by the invasive reed Phragmites australis Cook, C.E.*, A.M. McCluskey, R.M. Chambers Masters Student Inter and intra­annual dynamics of dinoflagellate bloom species in the James River, an urban tidal estuary in Virginia, USA Echevarria, M.*, M. Mulholland, K. Filippino, T.A. Egerton Masters Student Eastern oyster (​
Crassostrea virginica​
) biodeposit resuspension, nutrient cycling and contrasting water quality in the Shear Turbulence Resuspension Mesocosm Franz, H.* and E.T.Porter Undergraduate L​
ong term monitoring of the tidal marshes in the Christina and Broadkill Rivers of Delaware Haaf, L.*, A. Padeletti, T. Elsey­Quirk, and D. Kreeger Rapid response storm sampling for the October 2015 Nor’easter and Hurricane Joaquin Harris, L.A.*, R. Woodland, L. Lapham, M. Gonsior, L. Cooper, J. Testa, and J. Pierson. Coastal Habitat Restoration in New York City: Integrating Ecology with Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Howe, C.*, D.J. Yozzo, and M.S. Laska Suprabenthic species distributions relative to small­scale bathymetric features along the Assateague coast Johnson, W.S.* Lessons Learned Forecast Modeling 2011 Hurricane Irene, and the Path to Predicting Street­Level Inundation Loftis, J.D.*, H.V. Wang, and D.R. Forrest Page 18 of 56 LIST OF CONTRIBUTED POSTERS (continued) Marsh Futures: Technical Evaluation of Site Specific Marsh Vulnerabilities Using GIS, In­Situ, and Long­Term Reference Data Moody, J.A.*, D. Kreeger, M. Maxwell­Doyle, and R. Lathrop Doctoral Candidate Assessing the habitat use and optimal construction of marsh sills through benthic infaunal community composition Neylan, I.P.*, C.S. Smith, and C.H. Peterson Analysis of Heavy Metal (Cadmium and Lead) Concentrations within Subsurface Soils of Blackbird Creek, Delaware Ommanney, K. I.*, P.L. Demmarreau, L.K. Chintapenta, V. Kalavacharla, and G. Ozbay Undergraduate Delaware Estuary Living Shoreline Initiative (DELSI): 2014 Installation Update Padeletti, A.T.*, D. Kreeger, and J. Moody Isolation and Identification of Mycorrhizae from Marsh Environments to study their role in Plant Salt Tolerance Reynolds­McKenzie. P.*, L.C. Crawford, N. Miletti, L. K. Chintapenta, and G. Ozbay Masters Student Invasive worm from the South?: First report and establishment of ​
Hermundura americana (Polychaeta: Pilargidae) in the Chesapeake Bay Rodi, A.J.* and D. M. Dauer Long­term Trends in Ichthyoplankton Assemblage Structures in a Recovering Freshwater Tidal Embayment of the Potomac River Sills, A.M.*, and K. de Mutsert Fish Communities in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey: Comparison along an Urbanization Gradient in the Watershed Valenti, J.L.*, K.W. Able, and T. Grothues Doctoral Candidate Water Quality Parameters Influencing Bloom Initiation and Algal Community Composition Wiesner, K.*, W.S. Millman, G. Clardy, M. Echevarria, and T.A. Egerton Undergraduate Changing ecosystem response to nitrogen load into Buzzards Bay, MA Williamson, S.*, J. E. Rheuban, J. E. Costa, D. M. Glover, and S. C. Doney Morphological variation in mid­Atlantic ​
Dinophysis​
populations Wolny, J.L.* and T.A. Egerton Page 19 of 56 KEYNOTE BIOS AND ABSTRACTS Dr. Andrew Elmore Dr. Andrew Elmore is Associate Professor of landscape ecology at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Appalachian Laboratory. He works broadly across issues relevant to global environmental change, with a particular interest in ecosystem interactions with land­use and land­cover change. Recent work has focused on the effect of groundwater decline on wind erosion and air quality in deserts; the impact of urban stream burial on stream network structure and functioning; modeling coastal habitat change associated with sea level rise; and, understanding forest responses to changes in spring and autumn timing associated with climate change. He applies an array of tools to these problems, but has made the greatest impact on methods for analyzing satellite and airborne remote sensing data. Dr. Elmore received a BSc in Applied Physics from Purdue University and an MSc and PhD in Geoscience from Brown University. He worked as a postdoctoral scholar at the Carnegie Institution for Science and Dartmouth College before moving to Maryland. Abstract From mountains to the sea: Satellite remote sensing insights into the impact of urbanization on streams and surface water temperature in Chesapeake Bay The rapid pace of urbanization over the past three decades has influenced patterns of stream water quality and quantity in important ways, including temperature regimes of aquatic systems from the headwaters to coastal receiving waters. Understanding drivers, stressors and responses is complicated by the large area influenced by urbanization and the lack of long­term monitoring data at this scale. However, new technologies in the form of medium resolution remote sensing data and spatial analysis have unlocked possibilities for research and new insight. In this talk I will present results describing the interacting effects of urbanization and climate change on streams and surface water temperatures in the Chesapeake Bay region. For example, in the Baltimore metropolitan region, over 70% of stream length has been buried beneath impervious surfaces (i.e., placed into storm drains), with implications for habitat area for many aquatic species adapted to headwater life. Differences in the energy balance of cities compared with forests have influenced stream water temperatures as well as the timing of vegetation changes in spring and autumn, potentially leading to important, yet largely uncharacterized, impacts to aquatic ecosystems. Climate change and heated runoff from cities has subsequently lead to rising surface water temperatures in the Chesapeake Bay, which we have quantified from remote sensing to be approximately 1.6 degrees C over the past 30 years. These results characterize the effects of urbanization on estuaries distinct from that of climate change, and therefore contribute to our understanding of how land management might be successful in slowing the rate of change regardless of the outcome of global climate initiatives. Page 20 of 56 Mr. William A. (Skip) Stiles, Jr. William A. (Skip) Stiles, Jr. is the executive director (since 2006) of Wetlands Watch, a statewide nonprofit environmental group based in Norfolk, VA for which he previously served as president. His current work centers on efforts to implement climate change adaptation strategies at multiple scales in Virginia. Mr. Stiles also serves as vice president of the Virginia Conservation Network, hold an adjunct position at Old Dominion University teaching and publishing on science and public policy, and he writes a guest column for the Virginian Pilot. In 2009 he received the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s William H. Savedge III Environmental Achievement Award. Mr. Stiles served on the Virginia Commission on Climate Change in 2008 and in 2006 he co­chaired the Gordon Conference on Science and Technology Policy. He served for six years on the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences’ (AAAS) Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy. Prior to Wetland Watch, Mr. Stiles was an independent consultant, providing editorial and public policy services to clients regarding science, the environment, and public policy. A partial client list since 1998 includes: the White House Office of Science Policy, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Pew Center on Agricultural Biotechnology, RAND Corporation, and the National Academy of Sciences. From 1976 to 1998, Mr. Stiles served the US House of Representatives in various senior staff capacities. Mr. Stiles was Legislative Director of the House Committee on Science and Technology and was the lead staffer for the research and development titles of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Public Law 102­486), etc. Mr. Stiles was staff director for a subcommittee of the House Agriculture Committee. He worked as a legislative assistant and then Chief of Staff to the late Congressman George E. Brown, Jr. (CA) who authored legislation establishing the 1st federal research program on climate change (Public Law 95­367). Mr. Stiles graduated from the College of William and Mary. Abstract Climate change adaptation: Opportunities for restoration? Maintaining ecosystem health and resilience along developed shorelines is a challenge. Pressures from dense populations, shoreline dependent industries, aging infrastructure, and fragmented ecosystems conspire against restoration. New pressures driven by climate change and complications seem to multiply. But if we are prepared, these climate change impacts provide opportunity for new approaches and add urgency to old ones. As urban centers seek to protect themselves by adapting to climate change, a prepared restoration community can create advantages and new directions for policy and restoration work. Wetlands Watch has been working at the edges of these changes. Essentially, we work on adaptation designs to maintain or increase ecosystem services, taking advantage of the recent "discovery" of nature­based solutions by federal agencies (e.g. living shorelines and erosion control) using increasing flood insurance rates to create incentives for green­infrastructure to buy down premiums. and will share some ideas on these new directions. Page 21 of 56 Dr. Ariana Sutton­Grier Dr. Ariana Sutton­Grier is an ecosystem ecologist with expertise in wetland ecology and restoration, biodiversity, biogeochemistry, climate change, and ecosystem services. Dr. Sutton­Grier is a research faculty member at the University of Maryland in the Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center and is also the Ecosystem Science Adviser for the National Ocean Service at NOAA. She holds Bachelors degrees from Oregon State University in Environmental Science and International Studies and a doctoral degree from Duke University in Ecology. She leads the NOAA Coastal Blue Carbon Team as well as an interagency blue carbon group. She gets especially excited about seeking and discovering innovative opportunities to combine science and policy to solve environmental problems and promote ecosystem conservation. Her research has been published in many environmental and policy journals and featured in several news stories, as well as a children’s science TV show. Abstract Future of our coasts: The Potential of Natural and Hybrid Infrastructure in an Urbanizing World There is substantial evidence that natural infrastructure (i.e., healthy ecosystems) and combinations of natural and built infrastructure (“hybrid” approaches) enhance coastal resilience by providing important storm and coastal flooding protection, while also providing other benefits. There is growing interest in the U.S., as well as around the world, to use natural infrastructure to help coastal communities become more resilient to extreme events and reduce the risk of coastal flooding. There are different strengths and weaknesses of the coastal protection benefits provided by built infrastructure, natural ecosystems, and there are innovative opportunities to combine the two into hybrid approaches for coastal protection. This presentation will examine some examples of where hybrid approaches are being implemented to improve coastal resilience as well as some of the research and policy challenges that can make implementation of these approaches more difficult. Filling these gaps is critical in order for coastal communities and other decision makers to better incorporate ecosystem protection and restoration into coastal resilience planning efforts. Page 22 of 56 ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS Listed alphabetically * Presenting author The North Carolina King Tides Project: Promoting awareness of sea­level rise impacts through social media Burns, C.*, C. Lauback, and C. Voss University of North Carolina cjburns@email.unc.edu Masters Student The King Tides Project is an international initiative to increase awareness and understanding of the sea­level rise issues that challenge coastal communities. “King tide” is an informal term describing the natural and predictable annual highest high tide events, typically perigean spring tides. The Project asks coastal residents to photo­document these extreme high water events using their smartphones and post photos on social media, thus promoting them to anticipate future effects of rising seas and motivating discussions about planning and adaptation. Visual images serve as a powerful means of communication. Recognizing that residents are generally most passionate and knowledgeable about their own neighborhoods, the North Carolina King Tides Project will engage residents, especially students in this citizen science endeavor through photography, a website, and Flickr site. By establishing dedicated NC King Tide sites, of known elevation, in popular public areas and areas of select scientific interest, citizens will photo­document site­specific sea level and high­water events, at known dates and times. Water levels in NC at a given location are influenced to varying degrees by both astronomical and meteorological forcing with their relative contributions changing over time. Augmented by citizens, databases used by NC Sentinel Site scientists will grow with public participation. A 47­year­old blue crab (​
Callinectes sapidus​
) population data set is re­tooled for public consumption Copeland, A.* Morgan State University adam.copeland@morgan.edu Researchers often lack effective means to communicate their work to non­scientific audiences. Platforms for disseminating such information are limited, and traditional publication formats such as journal articles or reports typically require outside knowledge and thus present a barrier to the average layperson. Using Tableau data visualization software, an on­going, 47­plus­year Chesapeake Bay blue crab population study is made accessible to users of all knowledge levels: including regulators, commercial fishermen, and the general public. The visualizations are interactive and allow users to sort by sex, location, week, month, year, size, and other factors as they may make their own inquiries and draw their own conclusions. The software also allows scientists to create directed presentations highlighting critical information. Visualizations can be posted online and updated dynamically as new data is collected. This platform allows scientists to easily combat misinformation, enhance community engagement, and promote informed decision­making. Stakeholders better versed in the ecology of the bay will be better stewards of its resources. Rather than collecting dust, this valuable historic data set can become an active part of the dialogue concerning blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay. Page 23 of 56 Effective edges: salt marsh creek banks as hotspots of biogeochemical cycling Czapla K.M.*, I.C. Anderson, and J.W. Stanhope Virginia Institute of Marine Science kmczapla@vims.edu Masters Student Salt marshes edges are thought to be hotspots for microbial nitrogen and carbon cycling, which provide mechanisms for the ecosystem services of N removal and C sequestration. Increasing anthropogenic N loading may impact both of these services. In order to compare N cycling and metabolic responses of edge and interior marsh sites to fertilization, an experiment was conducted seasonally in a marsh dominated by ​
Spartina alterniflora​
in the New River Estuary, NC with four treatments: fertilized interior marsh, control interior marsh, fertilized edge marsh, and control edge marsh (n=3). Rates of respiration, primary production, and methane emissions, measured in situ using a Los Gatos greenhouse gas analyzer and static chambers, were stimulated by fertilization and tended to be higher in interior plots. Denitrification (DNF) and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium, the major nitrate reducing pathways, were measured using isotope pairing in batch cores. DNF was increased by fertilization on the edge but not in the interior, perhaps due to lower porewater sulfide and dissolved organic carbon concentrations observed in edge plots. Managers should consider location relative to creek edge in determining the responses of marshes to anthropogenic N loads. Understanding vulnerability to climate change: An analysis of flooding, marsh elevation and plant species communities in a tidal freshwater marsh Delgado P.* and P. Hensel Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary rpdelg88@aacounty.org Jug Bay, Patuxent River, comprises a large complex of tidal freshwater wetlands on the U.S. East Coast and, like other wetlands within the Chesapeake Bay it faces the uncertain impacts of increasing water levels, salinity intrusion, and other climate change related impacts. Infrastructure has been installed at Jug Bay for long­term monitoring of marsh vegetation, surface elevation change, water quality, and weather conditions. Water level and vegetation data show how timing, frequency and duration of inundation prior to the growing season affect plant cover in the marsh. Results indicate an approximate 50% decrease in species plant cover when duration of inundation reaches 30% prior to the start of the growing season (March­May). In the dynamic low marsh, species such as ​
Nuphar advena​
have shown a decrease in plant cover while unvegetated ground showed an increase. In addition, marsh elevation data collected using RTK and leveling techniques showed significant correlation to a number of marsh species zonations. Jug Bay tidal freshwater marshes are highly diverse with over 95 plant species growing in the tidal zone. Any systematic changes in water levels may represent an important driver affecting species abundance and richness and the resiliency of Jug Bay wetlands to climate change. Page 24 of 56 The effects of tidal forcing on nutrient fluxes in the tidal, freshwater James River Estuary, VA Devore, D.L.* and P.A. Bukaveckas Virginia Commonwealth University devoredl@vcu.edu Masters Student A 12­month study (January to December 2015) focused on the effects of tidal forcing on nutrient fluxes in the tidal, freshwater segment of the James River Estuary. Discrete sampling of nutrient chemistry and continuous monitoring of tidal discharge were used to determine the volume and timing of the tides, differences in nutrient concentrations between incoming and outgoing tides, and associated nutrient fluxes. The goal of this study was to improve understanding of tidal influence on nutrient fluxes and their role in nutrient transport to the lower estuary. Our results show that differences in nutrient concentrations between incoming and outgoing tides were small throughout the year. This finding suggests that nutrient fluxes at the tidal fresh­oligohaline boundary are determined by tidal volume, not gradients in concentrations. We analyzed changes in water quality during seaward and landward tidal excursions to infer biogeochemical processes. Differences in oxygen production and nitrate utilization suggest greater autotrophy during landward excursions, consistent with more favorable light conditions. This work was conducted as a collaborative effort between VCU, the USGS, RMC, and W & L participating in the “Mountains to the Sea” project. Seasonal dinoflagellate blooms in the lower James River: monitoring and management strategies Egerton, T.*, K. Filippino, and W. Hunley Virginia Department of Health tegerton@odu.edu The meso and polyhaline James River and its sub­tributaries in Hampton Roads, Virginia are prone to annual seasonal blooms of a succession of dinoflagellate species throughout the year. The ichthyotoxic Cochlodinium polykrikoides​
and ​
Alexandrium monilatum​
are of greatest concern, forming massive weeks to months long blooms in the James and lower Chesapeake Bay in most years, with cell densities >104 ­1​
­1​
cells ml​
and chlorophyll concentrations in excess of 100μg l​
. To understand bloom initiation controls and inform management decisions, phytoplankton composition, water quality and chlorophyll concentrations were monitored from 2011­2015 with the goal of establishing a numerical chlorophyll criteria linked to impacts on natural resources. Phytoplankton species analyses indicated that dinoflagellates were the dominant algal component in the community, contributing an average of 70% of total algal biomass, and over 99.9% during blooms. ​
Cochlodinium​
bloom initiation occurred primarily in smaller tributaries including the Lafayette River often following wind and rain events, before being transported into the mainstem, where maximum concentrations were observed. During the study, there was a significant expansion of ​
Alexandrium monilatum​
into the James River, with massive bioluminescent blooms of the species throughout the region in August 2015. Page 25 of 56 Improving climate literacy in middle school and high school pre­service teachers by providing resources and interactive teaching tools Fuoco, M. J.*, D. Veron, C. Leithren, and G. Ozbay Delaware State University mjfuoco15@students.desu.edu Masters Student Bridging the gap between the scientific community and the public has always been a challenge for educators. Climate change is progressing rapidly, which makes public education equally important as research on climate change. This presentation aims at providing educators with teaching tools that can foster climate change literacy. “The Incredible Carbon Journey,” an activity from the book “Discover Your Changing World with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,” was used as the teaching tool. This exercise shows participants how burning of fossil fuels impacts carbon cycle and how the industrial revolution has increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This is an interactive game where each student acts as a carbon molecule, which cycles through the planet’s spheres before and after the industrial revolution. The MADE CLEAR project offered a workshop to pre­service teachers to educate them about the carbon cycle and how to use this game effectively in classrooms. Segments of the video from this workshop will be presented to show how the game works. These resources will help educators to easily integrate lessons on climate change into their curriculum. This strategy can help increase climate literacy and provide students with the knowledge to make environmentally sound decisions. Using satellite imagery to provide high temporal resolution time series of shoreline movement for the Virginia barrier islands Haluska, J.* james.haluska@verizon.net Doctoral Candidate Shoreline movement for eleven Virginia barrier islands was investigated using LANDSAT 5, 7, and 8 satellite imagery along with USDA NAIP aerial imagery. Approximately 250 individual digitized shorelines over 24 years from 1990 to 2014 were used to construct shoreline movement time series for locations on the islands. ArcGIS and DSAS were used to register images and extract shoreline locations. MATLAB calculated the resulting time series from the DSAS output and performed statistical analysis of the results. The time series were correlated with teleconnection indices (Arctic Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation, and the Multivariate ENSO Index), monthly averaged wave height, and monthly averaged sea level. The eastern island shorelines lost width during the study period. Total island shoreline change ranged from 0.46 to 1.2 kilometers during the study period. The effects of high wave and sea level events can be seen throughout the 24 year study period. A number of these changes also correlated with environmental indices. While the shoreline movement time series were temporarily affected by environmental factors, the shoreline change trends normally returned to the long term trend. Exceptions to this generality such as sudden changes to Wreck and Cobb Islands were evident. Page 26 of 56 The influence of urbanization at two spatial scales on blue crabs, ​
Callinectes sapidus​
, in Barnegat Bay, NJ Jivoff, P.R*, L. Moritzen, A. Barton, A. DeRemer, P. Ferdinando, J. Kels, J. McCarthy, F. Pandolfo, M. Rosen, C. Tighe, and A. Young Rider University pjivoff@rider.edu In Barnegat Bay, we tested the influence of urbanization, at baywide and local scales, on blue crab abundance, size distribution and recapture rates of tagged crabs from 2012­2014. We sampled using commercial­style traps and trawls in three major estuarine habitats (SAV, open bay, marsh creeks) within each of five clusters spanning the baywide urbanization gradient. In each cluster, two marsh creeks differing in the extent of urbanization (high vs low) were sampled. We also tagged and released adult crabs at the mouths of each marsh creek type in three clusters varying in the extent of urbanization (low, medium and high). Recapture rates increased with the extent of urbanization, however local fishing effort influenced differences between high and low urbanized creeks. Adult abundance and size distribution showed weak responses to baywide and local urbanization. Juvenile abundance also showed minimal response to the baywide urbanization gradient however, the upper portion of highly urbanized creeks lacked small juveniles and recruits as compared to less urbanized creeks. This was consistent across the baywide urbanization gradient, suggesting that local urbanization has a negative effect on juvenile blue crabs, leading to hypotheses for the specific impact urbanization may have on blue crabs in this habitat. Embryonic exposure to vessel noises affects sensory responses to vibration in oyster toadfish (​
Opsanus tau​
) juveniles Krahforst C.S.*, M. Heater, and J.J. Luczkovich East Carolina University krahforstc06@students.ecu.edu Doctoral Candidate Ambient noise generated from boats has increased since the 1950s. This noise overlaps in frequency with fish acoustic communication and fish hearing ranges, which may alter a fish’s ability to capture prey. In this study, oyster toadfish (​
Opsanus tau​
) embryos were collected from the field in Beaufort, NC. Each batch of embryos was split in half and reared in laboratory tanks under a soundscape dominated by either boats or natural sounds. After months of sound exposure, juveniles were observed with infrared video in a dark environment to measure near­field frequency sensitivity (10­500 Hz) using a vibrating rod that simulated prey movements. Their attraction behavior was measured by counting the number of times the juvenile approached (<3 cm) and made contact with the vibrating rod. The preliminary results indicate that fish from the natural soundscapes were nearly twice as likely to approach the rod (0.37) at 1 cm and six times more likely to contact the rod (0.18) than fish reared under noisy conditions (0.21 & 0.03, respectively). Juveniles reared under noise are less likely to be successful at finding prey, compared with juveniles reared under natural sounds. Page 27 of 56 The effect of shoreline type and watershed land­use on SAV in the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays of Maryland and Virginia Landry, J.B.*, R. Golden, L. Karrh, and M. Lewandowski Maryland Department of Natural Resources brooke.landry@maryland.gov It is assumed that anthropogenic change to a shoreline or watershed leads to changes in the associated body of water and its habitats. To test this assumption, we investigated shoreline modification and, secondarily, watershed land­use as factors controlling SAV habitat in 24 sub­estuaries throughout the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays of Maryland and Virginia. At each site, we compared SAV beds adjacent to natural shorelines with SAV beds adjacent to shorelines armored with riprap revetment to determine what effect, if any, shoreline modification has on SAV immediately offshore. Results indicate that riprap along a shoreline does negatively affect adjacent beds of SAV. Density, frequency of occurrence, bed size, and diversity were all significantly lower in SAV beds adjacent to riprapped shorelines compared to natural shorelines. Ad hoc analyses of watershed land­use also indicate that the more developed a watershed becomes, the less SAV its associated body of water will support. These results are important in the face of growing human population pressure and climate change. As coastal populations expand, shorelines may be increasingly armored to protect property from sea level rise and storm surge. SAV will be adversely affected and the ecosystem services it provides could be degraded or lost forever. 200 Proof: Distilling data from the oyster bar McCollough, C.B.* Phillips Wharf Environmental Center oysters@pwec.org Volunteer, citizen­based oyster restoration projects are a popular and potentially effective means for small scale oyster restoration, if properly managed and evaluated. Most of these projects have limited resources for monitoring and assessment. Marylanders Grow Oysters (MGO) is a DNR­sponsored program that incorporates 33 areas managed by coordinators ranging from homeowners’ associations to NGOs with various capabilities and missions. Some organizations have been able to leverage assessment by university or other professional scientists, while others have not implemented any form of evaluation because of a perceived lack of resources. Phillips Wharf Environmental Center has collected data from 4 years of restoration efforts, using volunteer and student resources, with some assistance from DNR and University of Maryland. These data demonstrate that this particular program has reached several restoration success metrics defined by the Oyster Metrics Workgroup of the Sustainable Fisheries Goal Implementation Team of the Chesapeake Bay Program. We suggest that other MGO and similar citizen­based oyster restoration programs can identify problems and successes, and document their real contribution to local oyster restoration by taking advantage of resources within their own communities. Page 28 of 56 Ribbed Mussels as mediators of salt marsh nitrogen removal Mitchell M.*, D.B. Bilkovic, A. Smyth, R. Isdell Virginia Institute of Marine Science molly@vims.edu Doctoral Candidate Oysters have long been the suspension­feeding bivalve of choice as a means of water quality improvement due to their combined economic and ecological values; however, historically low oyster populations has resulted in a significant loss of filtration capacity. Given the low abundance of oyster populations in many areas, consideration of the role and use of other bivalves for water quality improvement is warranted. Ribbed mussels have a high filtration capacity, widespread distributions in an estuary, and are often highly abundant. To investigate the role of mussels on water quality enhancement, we characterized its contribution to two functions in salt marshes that relate to N removal: denitrification and water filtration. Mussel abundance was highly variable among marsh types and position but there is a significantly large population, particularly along the mainstem of the river. Experimental examination of the denitrification potential of marsh cores with and without mussels indicates enhanced N​
production 2​
for treatments with mussels. The enhancement of denitrification with the addition of mussels to the marsh ecosystem combined with the relatively dense ribbed mussel assemblages in York River marshes suggest that they are a major component of N­cycling on a system level and may help compensate for low oyster populations. Empire State of Line: a review of the distribution of fish tagging and recapture data and urban locations from 1995­2015 Musick S.* Virginia Institute of Marine Science susanna@vims.edu For more than 20 years, fishery­dependent tagging data have been collected by trained anglers through the Virginia Game Fish Tagging Program. A cooperative effort between the Marine Advisory Program at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the program’s tagging effort is directed on ten recreationally important marine fish species including black drum, black sea bass, cobia, red drum, summer flounder, sheepshead, spadefish, speckled trout, tautog and grey triggerfish. Throughout the program, tagging effort has taken place in Virginia with estuarine locations in the Chesapeake Bay and nearshore areas. A review of the historical distribution of tagging and recapture location and habitat data will be covered with a special focus on effort in urban locations. Page 29 of 56 Are sediments a source or sink for nutrients in Barnegat Bay, NJ? O’Connor J.*, N. Weston, B. Paudel, and D. Velinsky Villanova University joconno9@villanova.edu Undergraduate The growing population in the watershed of Barnegat Bay, NJ has increased development and nutrient http://www.algaebase.org/​
runoff into the Bay. Despite higher watershed population densities and nutrient inputs in the northern Bay, it generally had lower water column nutrients than the less developed southern Bay, according to field data from 2014 and 2015. We examined the role of sub­tidal bottom sediments as a sink or source of nutrients in the Bay. Duplicate sediment cores were taken from stations in the northern and southern Bay, sectioned into 1­cm intervals, and the Pb­210 activities and carbon and nitrogen content of the sediment was determined. We used Pb­210 to determine accretion rates at both sites which, when coupled with C and N content, allowed us to determine C and N burial rates. Accretion rates and C and N burial rates were significantly higher in the southern Bay, indicating that the sediments are likely a sink for C and N. We conclude that higher accretion and C and N burial rates in the southern Bay are derived from oceanic nutrient inputs. Upwelling of nutrients into the Bay is likely the source of higher nutrient concentrations in Southern Barnegat Bay, despite relatively low watershed inputs. Visioning CERF's Future: 2017­2021 Strategic Plan Process Park, S.* Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation spark@erf.org As CERF prepares for its Visions IV strategic plan, we seek your input on the future of CERF. I will provide an introduction to CERF and some accomplishments from the Visions III strategic plan, and information on the timeline and process. Ultimately, CERF is looking for your input on priorities for the next strategic plan. What should CERF focus on for the next 5 years? What is important to you? How can CERF help you? Throughout the process, we will seek grassroots input from affiliate members and meeting attendees to ensure a relevant strategic plan. Page 30 of 56 Possible nutrient release correlated with a harmful algal bloom event Pitula J.S.*, J. Wolny, and D. Rosales University of Maryland, Eastern Shore jspitula@umes.edu In the fall of 2014 a dam removal project at Bishopville Prong in the St. Martin River watershed was completed. In 2015 a persistent phytoplankton bloom began in late March, dominated by ​
Gymnodinium aureolum​
. This was followed by a cascade of bloom­forming dinoflagellate species, including ​
Dinophysis sp., ​
Karlodinium veneficum​
, ​
Prorocentrum minimum​
, and ​
Alexandrium ​
sp. There was a significant +​
increase in NH​
4​ and total dissolved phosphorous in 2015, as compared to 2014, at a station immediately downstream of the dam removal. Principal component analysis demonstrated that the bloom event +​
correlated with NH​
4​ in the system. Using PCR­based screening methods, we are also comparing dinoflagellates filtered by the ribbed mussel, ​
Geukensia demissa​
. In 2014 we detected ​
Dinophysis​
sp. in stomach contents, but in 2015 it was not observed despite an increase in ​
Dinophysis ​
sp. cell concentrations in the water column. By contrast, ​
G. aureolum​
was detected in ​
G. demissa ​
stomach contents during the 2015 bloom event. This may suggest that feeding preferences of ​
G. demissa​
vary depending on the phytoplankton source available. Future studies will be directed into ascertaining this preference in conjunction with other resident bloom forming species such as ​
K. veneficum​
,​
P. minimum​
, and ​
Alexandrium​
sp. What can urban land use tell us about polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fin fish from the Elizabeth River Rieger, J.*, R. Di Giulio, and G. Kroeger Elizabeth River Project jrieger@elizabethriver.org The Elizabeth River in Southeastern Virginia is a highly developed and urbanized watershed. Currently the State of Virginia is developing a PCB Total Maximum Daily Load for the Elizabeth based off land use, water quality data during both dry and wet weather events, and fish PCB tissue data. We wanted to understand how local PCB loads from an urban watershed compare to regional loads, and which land types contribute to higher PCB body burdens in fish. Two species of fishes (​
Sciaenops ocellatus​
and Cynoscion nebulosus​
),were collected for PCB analyses that have large home ranges. In addition, a fish species (​
Fundulus heteroclitus​
) with a localized home range was collected and analyzed for PCBs to understand how PCB concentrations vary regionally and locally. The were also collected at the mouth of stormwater outfalls from differing land uses. Page 31 of 56 Spatial and temporal sedimentation on the seasonally vegetated subaqueous delta of the Susquehanna River, upper Chesapeake Bay Russ, E.*, C. Palinkas, and D. Hinkle University of Maryland Center of Environmental Science, Horn Point Lab eruss@umces.edu The Susquehanna Flats is the shallow subaqueous delta present at the intersection of the Susquehanna River mouth and the head of the Chesapeake Bay. Extensive submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) have historically occupied the Flats, but declined throughout the late 1960s due to poor water quality, and disappeared following Tropical Storm Agnes (1972). SAV returned to the Flats in the mid­2000s and were resilient to high flows and the large sediment load brought by Tropical Storm Lee (2011). The SAV improve water quality during the growing season by retaining sediment and particulate nutrients. Additionally, the Conowingo Dam (built in 1928), approximately 10 miles upstream of the Flats, controls upper Bay sedimentation by capturing ~2/3 of the annual Susquehanna River sediment load. However, the Conowingo Dam is approaching its sediment storage capacity, causing an increase in sediment load and grain size delivered to the Flats and the Chesapeake Bay. Also, infrequent storm events likely represent a 7​
significant portion of modern sediment accumulation on the Flats. This study measures ​
Be (half­life 53.3 210​
days) and ​Pb (half­life 22.3 years) activities in sediment cores to determine seasonal deposition and decadal accumulation, respectively, on the Susquehanna Flats. Growth and maturity of adult alewife ​
Alosa pseudoharengus​
and blueback herring ​
Alosa aestivalis spawning in Potomac River tributaries Schlick, C.J.C.* and K. de Mutsert Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center, George Mason University cjcschlick@gmail.com Doctoral Candidate Alewife ​
Alosa pseudoharengus​
and blueback herring​
A. aestivalis​
are under moratoriums in the Potomac River due to lack of information. To assess the growth rates, spawning frequencies, and maturity schedules in Potomac River tributaries, we collected otoliths to age and scales to identify spawning marks from spawning adults. Eight growth models were used to determine the best­fit model using Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Spawning frequency and year of first spawn were determined using spawning marks. The proportion of the population mature at a given age was determined using a multinomial distribution model. The logistic growth model was the best­fit model; however, AIC weights were only 0.04% different between models. Using logistic growth model, females grew larger and faster than males for both species (p<0.0001). Virgin spawners comprised 72.2% of the alewife population and 78.3% of the blueback herring population. An unusual discovery for this study was females matured faster than males in both species, which differs from historic documentation, indicating a change in population dynamics. By age 5, all female alewife were mature but only 87.5% of males were, while 60% of female blueback herring were mature at age 4 versus 40% of males. Page 32 of 56 Hurricane damage along natural and engineered shorelines in NC: An economic and environmental evaluation Smith, C.S.*, R.K. Gittman, I. Neylan, C.H. Peterson Institute of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina scarters@live.unc.edu Doctoral Candidate Currently, one of the most pressing environmental management concerns on a global scale is reducing coastal erosion and attendant property damage in the face of sea level rise and increased storminess. The most prevalent response to this threat is the erection of hard engineered structures (i.e. bulkheads, revetments, seawalls); however, these structures have been shown to have adverse effects on the sustainability of adjacent wetland habitats and they do not always live up to the expectation of superior erosion protection. In this study, we synthesize data from visual shoreline damage surveys conducted in the outer banks of NC after Hurricanes Irene and Arthur and also survey responses from waterfront property owners in the same area. Overall, there are higher instances of hurricane damage along shorelines with bulkheads than along other types of shorelines. Homeowner surveys also reflect this trend with higher costs of repair reported from homes with bulkheads than those with natural shorelines. With predicted increases in coastal development and major storm events over the next century, we expect escalating economic costs associated with storm damage unless legislature begins to reflect the inherent value of natural habitats and of the costliness of repairing bulkheads. Evidence of successful management in an agriculturally­impacted Delaware estuary Stone, M. L.*, K. Roeske, L. Phalen, V. Kalavacharla , and G. Ozbay Delaware State University mstone14@students.desu.edu Masters Student Blackbird Creek is a waterway comprised of 36% agricultural land cover that empties into the Delaware Bay. Water quality and nutrient dynamics of the watershed were studied to understand how well this ecosystem sustains the impacts of human activity. Temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, and nutrient­derived variables (nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, orthophosphate, and alkalinity) were monitored. Samples were collected May­November 2012­2015 throughout the tidal portion of the creek. Results showed no spatial differences regardless of adjacent land use practice and, indeed, most parameters were within state and federal water quality regulations. Orthophosphate was elevated, though probably not due to agriculture, but rather to non­native marsh grass invasion and/or tidal scouring in the wetlands. Yearly changes were identified for alkalinity, turbidity, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen, which can be attributed to variation in weather and climate patterns. Blackbird Creek can be designated as semi­pristine, with little evidence of human impact thanks to appropriate land management where use of forested riparian and marsh grass buffers intercept nutrients from entering the waterways from agricultural fields. Managers can use this as a model watershed example of how best to minimize human impacts on nutrient chemistry and, by extension, food web dynamics. Page 33 of 56 Estuarine metabolism and zooplankton dynamics in the tidal freshwater segment of the James River Tassone, S. J.* and P. A. Bukaveckas Virginia Commonwealth University tassones@vcu.edu Masters Student Utilizing daily dissolved oxygen data from a fixed station within the tidal freshwater James River Estuary, VA we examined seasonal and interannual trends in primary production, respiration and net ecosystem metabolism (NEM). Results show that this segment of the James River is net autotrophic on an annual time scale with peak NEM occurring during March­November. Annual mean NEM ranged from 0.8­1.2 g ­2​ ­1​
­2​ ­1​
O​
m​
d​ with previous studies in Chesapeake Bay reporting ranges from ­5.6­0.5 g O​
m​
d​. Annual 2​
2​
mean production and respiration rates were within similar range values as previous studies of Chesapeake ­2​ ­1​
Bay (5.8­7.5 vs. 5.2­8.9 and 4.7­6.4 vs. 4.7­12.3 g O​
m​
d​ respectively). Dominant zooplankton in this 2​
segment were the copepod Eurytemora affinis, the cladoceran Bosmina longirostris, and the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus. Patterns in zooplankton abundance were then, in some cases, related to NEM along with other environmental variables such as water temperature, water replacement time, and total nitrogen concentration. These results provide evidence that the tidal freshwater segment of the James River is among the most productive sites within the Chesapeake Bay Estuary and that high rates of metabolism may in turn influence production at higher trophic levels. Discerning benthic habitats and fish use of Essential Fish Habitat in a North Carolina Wind Energy Planning Area Voss C.M.*, J.C. Taylor, A.B. Paxton, B. Sumners, C.A. Buckel, J. Vander Pluym, E.B. Ebert, T.S. Viehman, S.R. Fegley, E.A. Pickering, A.M. Adler, C. Freeman, and C.H. Peterson University of North Carolina c.m.voss.unc@gmail.com Demand for renewable energy is concurrent with increasing population densities along the world’s coasts. Along the US Atlantic coast, offshore wind energy planning has commenced from the New England states southward. Increased density of hardbottom habitat on the seafloor south of Cape Lookout, North Carolina necessitates knowledge of the location and function of hardbottom and other Essential Fish Habitats (EFH). In 2013­2014, NOAA, BOEM, & UNC­IMS mapped the Wilmington­East Call Area using modern sonars and executed diver assessments to ground­truth sonar data, examine sediment dynamics, and characterize fish use of benthic EFHs. A majority of the study­area seafloor was sand, with clusters of mixed, ledge, and pavement hardbottom habitat, and artificial reefs and shipwrecks. Macroalgal, invertebrate, and fish communities were diverse and similar in composition to neighboring Onslow Bay. Remotely sensed fish distributions showed high densities of fishes that conform spatially to hardbottom distribution. Complex, high­relief hardbottom with associated benthic communities support more species and biomass of apex predators, including snapper­grouper species. Fish community metrics related to seafloor complexity revealed that reef fish use a wide range of hardbottom habitat types. Fish communities differed between hardbottom and that of shipwrecks due to large aggregations of planktivorous fishes associated with wrecks. Page 34 of 56 The Subsidy Dilution Hypothesis: Grazer effects in a turbid eutrophic estuary Wood, J.D.* and P.A. Bukaveckas Chesapeake Bay Foundation jwood@cbf.org Primary consumers may mitigate or exacerbate the effects of nutrient enrichment by grazing on plant matter and recycling nutrients. Few studies have quantified these effects for a suite of consumers and in the context of other processes regulating plant standing crop and nutrient supply. We quantified the abundance, feeding and diet of zooplankton, benthic filter­feeders, and planktivorous and detritivorous fish in the James River Estuary and found that consumer­mediated fluxes of CHLa and N were small in comparison to other fluxes regulating phytoplankton abundance (production, respiration, advection) and N availability (external inputs, internal recycling). We also performed mesocosm experiments to evaluate the effect of grazers at variable nutrient loading conditions. Our results led us to conclude large allochthonous external inputs weaken top down effects and the recycling of associated nutrients may have implications which curtail recovery from eutrophication. In the broader ecological context, we argue ecosystem responses to nutrients and the strength of top down pressures are governed by the quantity and quality of allochthonous inputs. Is the exotic macroalga ​
Gracilaria vermiculophylla​
an emerging nursery habitat for juvenile blue crabs in Chesapeake Bay? A community approach Wood, M.A.*, and R.N. Lipcius Virginia Institute of Marine Science mwood@vims.edu Doctoral Candidate The exotic macroalga​
Gracilaria vermiculophylla​
may represent an emerging nursery habitat for juvenile blue crabs ​
Callinectes sapidus​
in Chesapeake Bay due to the decline of native seagrass habitat. We compared the prey communities associated with ​
G. vermiculophylla​
, seagrasses (eelgrass ​
Zostera marina and widgeon grass ​
Ruppia maritima​
) and unvegetated bottom to determine whether the exotic alga provides suitable prey assemblage for blue crabs. Additionally, we assessed juvenile blue crab densities in G. vermiculophylla​
and seagrass to determine the carrying capacities of these structured habitat types. In summer 2013, suctions sampling was used to evaluate juvenile crab density and prey community structure in the previously noted habitats in the York River, Virginia. Using multi­dimensional scaling, analysis of similarity, and similarity percentage analysis, we found that epifaunal communities were different between ​
G. vermiculophylla​
and seagrass, while infaunal communities were more similar between​
G. vermiculophylla​
and seagrass than between ​
G. vermiculophylla ​
and unvegetated habitat. While juvenile crab densities were similar between the alga and seagrass, approximately 3 times as many first benthic instar crabs were found in seagrass compared to ​
G. vermiculophylla​
, indicating that megalopae preferentially settle in seagrass and that juveniles use the alga opportunistically as a secondary habitat. Page 35 of 56 Ecological Restoration in New York City: Challenges, Opportunities and Experimentation Yozzo, D.J.* Glenford Environmental Science, Glenford, NY 12433 David.Yozzo@purchase.edu Densely populated urban settings, such the New York City metropolitan area, represent a unique challenge for ecologists, environmental engineers and restoration practitioners to bring non­traditional, or experimental approaches to project design and construction. Several ongoing programs within New York City provide a framework for linking restoration initiatives encompassing a variety of habitat types, and for sharing information gathered during feasibility or “pilot­scale” investigations.” Examples of current restoration programming in this region include the Hudson­Raritan Estuary Comprehensive Restoration Plan (HRE­CRP) and New York City’s “PlaNYC” program. Habitat types slated for restoration (or already restored) include submersed vegetation beds, tidal and non­tidal herbaceous and forested wetlands, coastal and floodplain forests, migratory fish corridors, benthic (soft­bottom) habitats, shellfish (oyster and mussel) beds and historically “hardened” or extensively modified urban shorelines. Restoration goals and targets for these habitats (and habitat complexes) have been set under these programs and many projects have been completed, yielding a broad range of outcomes. Active dissemination of this information can help inform ecologists and resource managers engaged in ongoing and future restoration projects in urban settings, by providing “lessons learned” and supporting adaptive management efforts across all project stages, from initial planning and implementation to post­restoration monitoring and evaluation. Page 36 of 56 POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS * Presenting author The Effects of Temperature on the Growth of Young­of­Year Blueback Herring in Potomac River Tributaries Alexander, S.*, C.J. Schlick, and K. de Mutsert George Mason University salexa14@gmu.edu Undergraduate The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of temperature on the growth­rates of young­of­year (YOY) blueback herring (​
Alosa aestivalis​
) in Potomac River tributaries. Temperature has been well documented to influence the development of blueback herring. However, the influence of temperature on individual cohorts within a spawning season has not been examined in Potomac River tributaries. By grouping YOY into cohorts based on hatch dates and life stage (yolk­sac larvae, post yolk­sac larvae, and juveniles), daily length­at­age can be used to determine growth parameters with von Bertalanffy growth models. In 2014 and 2015, ichthyoplankton and juvenile blueback herring were collected from March to September. The daily age was determined by counting otolith annuli (rings). YOY were categorized by life stage (yolk­sac larvae, post yolk­sac larvae, and juveniles) and cohort, then growth parameters for each group were determined using von Bertalanffy growth models. An Analysis of Residual Sum of Squares was used to compare the growth models. Preliminary analyses indicated at least two cohorts with differing growth parameters. By determining these relationships, managers could predict the success of future recruitment based on current environmental factors, and project the influence of future shifts in temperature due to climate change. Plans for integrating freshwater mussel restoration and shoreline stabilization in the urban corridor of the Delaware Estuary Cheng, K.M.*, D.A. Kreeger, J.A. Moody, and A.T. Padeletti Partnership for the Delaware Estuary kcheng@delawareestuary.org Freshwater mussels have importance as natural heritage and serve as critical components of healthy ecosystems because they provide valuable water quality benefits. Unfortunately, freshwater mussel populations are experiencing global declines in their range, abundance, and species richness. In 2007, a freshwater mussel recovery program was initiated with the goals of conserving and restoring freshwater mussels in the Delaware Estuary as part of a watershed­wide shellfish restoration strategy to promote water quality and other ecosystem services. Current restoration efforts include reintroducing small populations of mussels into streams that had once supported mussels. We are now expanding efforts to restore habitats that support mussel beds as part of new living shoreline projects in the urbanized tidal freshwater zone of the Delaware Estuary. By enhancing mussel habitat suitability, this project aims to boost current mussel carrying capacity and attendant water quality benefits. A conceptual plan has been developed for the first living shoreline site, which will be situated in front of the Harrison Avenue landfill in Camden, NJ. If successful, this nature­based shoreline restoration approach should address diverse management goals by stabilizing erosion at an urban remediation site, enhancing coastal resilience, promoting water quality, and stemming the continued decline of freshwater mussels. Page 37 of 56 Potential threats to diamondback terrapin nesting success caused by the invasive reed ​
Phragmites australis Cook, C.E.*, A.M. McCluskey, and R.M. Chambers College of William and Mary cecook01@email.wm.edu Masters Student The diamondback terrapin (​
Malaclemys terrapin​
) is a species of turtle found only in brackish water habitats along the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico of the United States. The expansion of the exotic, invasive reed ​
Phragmites australis ​
is causing widespread structural and functional changes to coastal habitats throughout North America, which could negatively impact the nesting success of female terrapins. I propose to determine the extent to which ​
Phragmites​
may affect nesting of a breeding population of diamondback terrapins on the eastern shore of Virginia, where ​
Phragmites​
has recently expanded into known areas of terrapin nesting. I will quantify the impacts of this expansion on terrapin nesting by: 1) determining the extent to which nest incubation temperature is impacted by ​
Phragmites shading, 2) determining how ​
Phragmites​
density impacts the degree of rhizome invasion into nests, and 3) determining if ​
Phragmites​
density impacts terrapin nest predation. With crab pots and roadways contributing to high adult mortality every year, nesting success will be highly important to maintaining and propagating this charismatic species. I hope my findings will aid local land managers in their conservation efforts, and be applied to other species that face similar threats associated with vegetation invasion and expansion. Inter and intra­annual dynamics of dinoflagellate bloom species in the James River, an urban tidal estuary in Virginia, USA 1​
1​
1​
2 Echevarria, M.*​
, M. Mulholland​
, K. Filippino​
, and T.A. Egerton​
1​
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529. 2​
Virginia Department of Health meche002@odu.edu Masters Student Two dinoflagellates (​
Heterocapsa triquetra​
and ​
Cochlodinium polykrikoides​
) have historically formed large seasonal blooms in tidal tributaries of Chesapeake Bay, lasting weeks to months. Additionally, the toxic ​
Alexandrium monilatum​
has emerged as an annual bloom producer with increasing abundance in the region since 2009. Presented here are comparisons of the temporal and spatial extent and magnitude of these blooms over two­years (2014­2015) in the James River, VA. In 2014 dinoflagellate abundance was low compared to prior years, while massive spring/summer blooms occurred in 2015. 2015 ​
H. triquetra reached densities >103 cells/mL over a six week period, compared to no visible bloom in 2014. Similarly, 2015 ​
C. polykrikoides​
reached cell densities of >41,000 cells/ml, with concentrations >103 cells/mL observed over seven weeks, compared to a maximum the year before of <11,000 cells/ml. ​
A. monilatum reached a maximum of >7,500 cells/ml in August 2015, with no bloom recorded in 2014. Environmental parameters, including temperature and salinity, likely contributed to the variability in bloom formation and duration during and between the two years. Temperature appeared to be to be the most significant factor, with warmer than average surface waters in winter of 2014 and cooler than average surface water during the summer of 2014. Page 38 of 56 Eastern oyster (​
Crassostrea virginica​
) biodeposit resuspension, nutrient cycling and contrasting water quality in the Shear Turbulence Resuspension Mesocosm Franz, H.* and E.T. Porter University of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD heatherrfranz@gmail.com Undergraduate Oysters (​
Crassotrea virginica​
) are often recognized for their superior filtration abilities, producing biodeposits which are resuspended within the water column during tidal cycles. In previous studies many dynamics of resuspension have been measured inconsistently with unstructured practices. With the use of the Shear Turbulence Resuspension Mesocosm (STURM) a specialized structure allowing programmable, uniform water column mixing and high bottom shear stress, it is hypothesized that resuspended biodeposits may increase particulate and dissolved nutrient concentrations and phytoplankton abundance. The Shear Turbulence Resuspension (STURM) facility, housing (6) 1000L tanks, four of which had biodeposits added to them daily for seventeen days, two which did not, was constructed at the Patuxent Environmental & Aquatic Research Laboratory. Tanks were monitored and measured daily with a series of instruments to record temperature, Secchi depth, Chlorophyll ​
a​
, in vivo fluorescence, TSS, organic and inorganic particulates in addition to regular filtered water exchanges to the tanks initial fill of unfiltered Patuxent water. Overall, results suggest oyster biodeposit resuspension enhanced particulate but not dissolved nutrients yet enhanced phytoplankton concentrations. Long term monitoring of the tidal marshes in the Christina and Broadkill Rivers of Delaware 1​
1​
2​
1 Haaf, L.*​
, A. Padeletti​
, T. Elsey­Quirk​
and D. Kreeger​
1​
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary 2​
Louisiana State University lhaaf@delawareestuary.org Monitoring and assessment of coastal wetlands in the Delaware Estuary are vital for guiding management decision­making. Site Specific Intensive Monitoring (SSIM) helps fill needs by tracking changes in coastal wetlands at fixed locations over time. SSIM represents one tier of a multi­level, multi­state, inter­institutional program referred to as the Mid­Atlantic Coastal Wetland Assessment. Understanding temporally variable characteristics at specific locations aids our ability to decipher stressor­response relationships in coastal wetlands. The suite of metrics studied offer insight into how landscape and climatic changes are affecting the health, or condition, of coastal wetlands in our region. Since 2010, fourteen SSIM stations have been installed in the Delaware Estuary and vicinity. Two of these stations are located in the state of Delaware: one in the urban corridor of Wilmington (Christina, installed 2010) and one near Lewes (Broadkill, installed 2014). Surface elevation tables at both sites suggest that rates of platform elevation change exceeds that of local sea level rise. Preliminary investigations also show the effects of intra­annual platform elevations on plant community compositions. These data are a small part of a larger effort to monitor coastal wetland condition over time at fixed stations; more analyses and watershed comparisons are forthcoming in 2016. Page 39 of 56 Rapid response storm sampling for the October 2015 Nor’easter and Hurricane Joaquin Harris, L.A.*, R. Woodland, L. Lapham, M. Gonsior, L. Cooper, J. Testa, and J. Pierson University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory harris@umces.edu The influence of storm events on the Chesapeake Bay has been studied intermittently over the past 25 years, primarily relying on data collected as part of the standard monthly sampling scheme of the Chesapeake Bay monitoring program, but occasionally as part of ships of opportunity associated with ongoing projects. The impacts of the October 2015 Nor’easter differed from past storm events because discharge from the Susquehanna River was relatively low, presenting an opportunity to study the effect of watershed inputs at a more local scale, as well as the direct impact of physical forcing from wind. Here we present preliminary results from a rapid response sampling effort that evaluates the impact of coastal plain nutrient loads and discharge, combined with wind effects and precipitation on physical characteristics, chemical and isotopic constituents, planktonic assemblage, and food web structure at stations in the main stem of the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay. Coastal Habitat Restoration in New York City: Integrating Ecology with Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Howe, C.*, D.J. Yozzo, and M.S. Laska chowe@greatecology.com Urban settings represent a unique challenge for restoration practitioners to bring non­traditional or experimental approaches to project design and construction. Designers are collaborating with ecologists and coastal engineers to introduce ecological function to isolated and degraded urban spaces in New York City. Active collaboration among these disciplines promotes integration of built and natural environments, creates opportunities for education and enriches the urban landscape. At Brooklyn Bridge Park, design elements included freshwater and tidal wetlands, rocky shores, submerged pile fields, and a stormwater management system. On Randall’s Island, salt marsh restoration represented a central habitat feature in an island­wide redevelopment effort resulting in a waterfront recreation and public access amenity. Design goals were to enhance wildlife habitat, improve water quality in the nearby Bronx Kill, and provide a shoreline buffer by integrating tidal wetland plantings with conventional erosion control features. Finally, the Hunter’s Point South Project, situated within a former industrial site along New York’s East River, integrates ecological design features with public access, including tidal channels, passage for fish and other macrofauna, and an observation deck. The site is being developed as a waterfront eco­park and mixed­use commercial area, and exemplifies the interface between ecology and urban public space. Page 40 of 56 Suprabenthic species distributions relative to small­scale bathymetric features along the Assateague coast Johnson, W.S.* Goucher College bjohnson090@gmail.com Epibenthic sled collections from the surf to four km offshore of Assateague Island, Virginia in June of 2008 and 2009 provide the first detailed analysis of the suprabenthic community within the first 30 cm above the seafloor along the Atlantic coast of the United States. Discrete assemblages of suprabenthic fauna were associated with specific bathymetric features (surf zone, inshore flat, a 11­13 m deep trough, and an adjacent ridge). Virtually all abundant taxa showed significantly different abundances among these four zones (ANOVA). The nearshore flat had the highest abundances of crab and fish larvae suggesting that this area may play an underappreciated role as nursery habitat for both estuarine and coastal species. The trough was notable for its aggregations of large crustaceans, the mysid ​
Neomysis americana​
and shrimp ​
Crangon septemspinosa​
, that likely constitute a link in benthopelagic trophic transfer from detritus/microbial food webs to fishes. Compared to coastal collections from the eastern Atlantic, the subtidal suprabenthos collected at Assateague showed an unusually variety and abundance of anomuran crustaceans and a paucity of gammarid amphipods. Lessons Learned Forecast Modeling 2011 Hurricane Irene, and the Path to Predicting Street­Level Inundation Loftis, J.D., H.V. Wang, and D.R. Forrest jdloftis@vims.edu Storm surge­induced coastal inundation poses numerous challenges for society. Expanding upon lessons learned forecast modeling Hurricane Irene, a computationally effective method to approach predicting street­level inundation involves the coupling of multi­scale models. A large­scale ocean model (SCHISM) was provided atmospheric forcing from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System, which was iteratively updated every six hours to simulate nine separate 30­hour simulations. Forecast results were subsequently provided to emergency managers and the National Weather Service to help make informed management decisions. Street­level inundation predictions were then calculated based upon SCHISM water elevation outputs at key points near the mouths of vulnerable tributaries to drive a separate street­level high­resolution sub­grid model (UnTRIM) to simulate localized flooding events at 5­meter resolution scale using Lidar­derived topography including building and roadway infrastructure. Tropical storm surge flood heights were validated via temporal comparison with 2​
water level observations from NOAA, the USGS, and NASA aggregated to an average R​
=0.84. Spatial extent of flooding was evaluated using USGS data retrieved from high water marks and from rapid deployment overland water level gauges to reveal favorable agreement with the model’s inundation predictions during Hurricane Irene. Page 41 of 56 Marsh Futures: Technical Evaluation of Site Specific Marsh Vulnerabilities Using GIS, In­Situ, and Long­Term Reference Data 1​
1​
2​
3​
Moody, J.A.*​
, D. Kreeger​
, M. Maxwell­Doyle​
, and R. Lathrop​
. 1.​
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary 2. ​
Barnegat Bay Partnership 3.​
Rutgers University jmoody@delawareestuary.org Doctoral Candidate Superstorm Sandy highlighted the ability of natural structures, such as salt marshes, to provide greater infrastructure protection than their hardened counterparts like bulkheads and riprap. Due to escalating losses of these valuable habitats, it is important to identify vulnerabilities and effective mitigation tactics. Historically, desktop analysis has been used for such assessments, but these findings do not reflect plant health, a main indicator of marsh condition. Marsh Futures refers to a two­step effort to 1) assess and map local elevation and vegetative health conditions in areas where wetland restoration is sought, and 2) guide the timing, sequence and types of suggested restoration. Marsh platform vulnerability was evaluated by integrating elevation capital and vegetative health data. Elevation and vegetation were surveyed using a RTK GPS, and strata relative to the local tidal prism and vegetation cover were delineated. Replicate assessment plots (n = 3) were randomly allocated per strata, within which vegetative health metrics were collected. A weighted assessment was used to calculate vulnerability scores for each strata. Results indicated that vegetation assessment provides valuable data that augment desktop analysis for evaluating salt marsh vulnerability. These results can inform the prescription of appropriate intervention tactics, such as living shorelines and/or thin­layer sediment application. Assessing the habitat use and optimal construction of marsh sills through benthic infaunal community composition Neylan, I.P.*, C.S. Smith, and C.H. Peterson. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill ineylan@gmail.com Recently, environmental engineers have developed “living shoreline” hybrid structures known as a marsh sills that incorporate a breakwater of either rock or oyster shell with a natural or planted marsh. The goal is to strike a balance between the protection capabilities of hardened shorelines and the habitat and ecosystem services of natural marshes. Few studies have quantified the health of ecosystems created by these sills, particularly in terms of the composition and abundance of benthic infaunal communities. We were particularly interested in the differences between sills built from granite rock versus bagged oyster shell, as well as the use of habitat in front of versus behind the sill. To address these questions, we collected benthic samples throughout Bogue and Pamlico Sounds in North Carolina directly in front of and behind marsh sill breakwaters constructed from either rock or oyster as well as in front of natural marshes and bulkheads for comparison. Samples were sieved on a 460um screen and the organisms found identified to the lowest taxonomic level to measure abundances, species richness, and diversity. Understanding how organisms use these hybrid sills and what elements of their construction best equate to ecosystem health will hopefully help optimize their future construction. Page 42 of 56 Analysis of heavy metal (cadmium and lead) concentrations within subsurface soils of Blackbird Creek, Delaware Ommanney, K.I.*, P.L. Demmarreau, L.K. Chintapenta, V. Kalavacharla, and G. Ozbay KOmmanney88@gmail.com Undergraduate Blackbird Creek is located in New Castle County, Delaware within the Appoquinimink watershed and flows into the Delaware River. Although agricultural and residential activities are documented in some areas of the watershed, it is still considered one of the most pristine salt marsh ecosystems in Delaware. This research is aimed to assess the presence and concentrations of lead and cadmium within the subsurface soils of sample sites along Blackbird Creek and to observe if their ranges lie within the standards of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Heavy metals are important indicators of environmental quality and must be monitored in order to determine ecosystem health. Study sites chosen had varying levels of human impact and included sites near agricultural areas. Samples were collected during summer and fall months and were assessed using a Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Initial results, 1­5ppb of cadmium and 300­700ppb of lead, indicate that concentrations are below the USEPA limits for cadmium (500ppb) and for lead (400,000ppb). Depending on the significance of the results, future studies will include a comparison study of heavy metal concentrations within salt marsh grasses (​
Spartina alterniflora​
and ​
Phragmites australis​
) and the analyzed soil samples. Delaware Estuary Living Shoreline Initiative (DELSI): 2014 Installation Update 1​
1​
1​
Padeletti, A.T.​
, D. Kreeger​
, J. Moody​
, A. Rogerson, and A. Howard 1​
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary 2​
Delaware Division of Natural Resources and Environmental Control apadeletti@delawareestuary.org Since 2007, the Delaware Estuary Living Shoreline Initiative (DELSI) has consisted of a regional, science­based effort to design, implement, and monitor new living shoreline projects. These projects are designed to boost coastal resilience, sustain critical ecosystem services, and showcase more environmentally­friendly approaches compared with traditional shoreline hardening practices. Building on successful bio­based tactics that were previously developed with the Rutgers’ University Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory (HSRL) in 2014 we worked with partners to coordinate the design, installation and monitoring of living shoreline projects at four new salt marsh locations. By the end of 2014 the construction, Phase 1, of these projects was completed. Phase 2, planting and any augmentation, began in early spring 2014 and continued through the fall of 2015. Each location had unique site conditions and permit constraints, and each project had slightly different goals and monitoring needs. Data on physical, chemical and biological conditions are being compared among sites and between controls and treatments using a Before­After­Control­Impact statistical design, with additional context being furnished by long­term monitoring at fixed reference stations as part of the Mid­Atlantic Coastal Wetland Assessment. Lessons being learned on these new treatments will strengthen outcomes from our earlier living shoreline projects. Page 43 of 56 Isolation and Identification of Mycorrhizae from Marsh Environments to study their role in Plant Salt Tolerance McKenzie­Reynolds, P., L.C. Crawford, N. Miletti, L.K. Chintapenta, and G. Ozbay angel_trena2005@yahoo.com Masters Student Mycorrhizae are fungi that grow in association with plant roots in a symbiotic relationship. This interaction benefits plants to uptake water and nutrients efficiently even under unfavorable conditions. Reports on global climate change predict in loss of 50% of the arable lands worldwide due to increased salinity, indicating the need for sustainable agriculture methods. The aim of this study is to isolate mycorrhizae from marsh soils and roots and study if they can help plants tolerate high saline conditions. The marsh environments are constantly exposed to stress and it has been assumed that the stressors in marsh might develop mycorrhizae with special abilities to withstand these conditions. Soil and root samples from ​
Spartina alterniflora​
and ​
Phragmites australis​
were collected from the Blackbird Creek marsh in Delaware. These root samples were stained with acid fuschin, mycorrhizal spores were observed in the roots of both grasses. Scanning Electron Microscopy displayed the 3­D image of these spores; nested PCR confirmed that the mycorrhizae present in the samples belong to the ​
Glomus​
group. Spores were isolated by wet sieving method and preserved for future greenhouse experiments. This study is a sustainable approach to withstand salt stress during this climate change era. Invasive worm from the South?: First report and establishment of ​
Hermundura americana (​
Polychaeta: Pilargidae​
) in the Chesapeake Bay Rodi, A.J.* and D.M. Dauer Old Dominion University arodi@odu.edu The genus ​
Hermundura​
is considered to be limited to the tropics and subtropics (Glasby and Hocknull, 2010). Prior to 2009 the pilargid polychaete, ​
Hermundura americana​
, was not reported in the Chesapeake Bay. In 2009 it was first recorded at a single location in the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River. Over the next two years it became well established throughout the Southern Branch. In 2012 ​
H. americana​
was found at a single location in the James River and by 2014 it was found throughout the James River from the polyhaline to oligohaline salinity zones. ​
Hermundura americana​
has yet to be found in any locations beyond the James River in the Chesapeake Bay. The mechanisms restricting its movement into the rest of the Bay are uncertain; but, given its establishment over a wide range of salinities, it could become established throughout the Chesapeake Bay. Page 44 of 56 Long­term Trends in Ichthyoplankton Assemblage Structures in a Recovering Freshwater Tidal Embayment of the Potomac River Sills, A.M.* and K. de Mutsert George Mason University sills.amanda7@gmail.com Tidal freshwater systems are utilized for spawning and larval development by anadromous, estuarine and freshwater fish species. Historically polluted by wastewater treatment effluent, Gunston Cove, VA, is an embayment of the Potomac River that has shown improvement in water quality since nutrient loadings were significantly reduced in the 1980s. This improvement allowed for a transition from a phytoplankton dominated ecosystem to a system whose primary production is driven by submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in the last decade. This study aims to determine effects of observed trends in environmental quality on ichthyoplankton assemblage structures and abundances. Using data from bimonthly pelagic ichthyoplankton tows conducted since 1993, we employed multivariate statistical approaches to explore relationships between assemblages and environmental variables associated with nutrient loading. We found a significant difference between assemblage structures sampled within the cove during phytoplankton and SAV dominated time periods. Increases in abundance of fish species that utilize SAV habitats for spawning were found to be significant and correlated with decreases in total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total suspended solids. Outcomes from this analysis help broaden the understanding of the effects of point source nutrient reduction in ecosystems undergoing recovery. Fish Communities in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey: Comparison along an Urbanization Gradient in the Watershed Valenti, J.L.*, K.W. Able, and T. Grothues Rutgers University Marine Field Station valenti@marine.rutgers.edu Doctoral Candidate The human population inhabiting the watershed surrounding Barnegat Bay (NJ) has grown over time. Consequently, urbanization (anthropogenic development) of the watershed has occurred resulting in shoreline hardening, eutrophication, and habitat destruction. The potential effects of urbanization on the fish communities in Barnegat Bay are unknown. We surveyed the juvenile fish communities throughout the bay in order to assess the response of fish communities to the existing gradient of urbanization in the watershed. Otter trawl sampling occurred yearly (2012­2014) in April, June, August, and October at 49 stations distributed throughout the bay and encompassing four different subhabitats: open bay, submerged aquatic vegetation, upper marsh creek, and marsh creek mouth. Principal component analysis did not detect a significant difference between fish species composition and abundance that could be attributed to the urbanization gradient in the watershed. Variations in fish species composition and abundance that did occur were explained by temporal and subhabitat differences. Components of urbanization (e.g. runoff, pollution) may contribute to a response from fishes (e.g. physiological responses) that are not detectable in relation to the urbanization gradient. In addition, it remains to be determined if a response to urbanization is occurring at smaller scales (e.g. urbanized vs. natural creeks). Page 45 of 56 Water Quality Parameters Influencing Bloom Initiation and Algal Community Composition Wiesner, K.*, W.S. Millman, G. Clardy, M. Echevarria, and T.A. Egerton Old Dominion University kwies002@odu.edu Undergraduate Knitting Mill Creek is an urban sub­tributary of the Lafayette River in Norfolk, VA prone to water quality impairments and algal blooms. Most notably, the harmful algal bloom (HAB) species Cochlodinium polykrikoides which is responsible for large blooms throughout the lower Chesapeake Bay region was present in large cell densities. Water quality and phytoplankton bloom initiation and succession were assessed by collecting water samples from May through August 2015, 2­3 times per week. Physical and chemical parameters (water temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, secchi depth, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll fluorescence) were measured along with analyses of algal species composition using cell counts under light microscopy. Significant heterogeneity in vertical structure was detected, with subsurface Chl ​
a​
2­3x surface concentrations in some cases, indicating limitations of traditional surface monitoring. A total of 48 phytoplankton species were identified in Knitting Mill Creek during the study, and dinoflagellates were the dominant group present. Preliminary analyses suggest that wind mixing was responsible for bloom initiation and termination. Further applications of this study could be used to monitor other urban tributaries to assess water quality based on algal species composition dominated by species that cause harmful algal blooms. Changing ecosystem response to nitrogen load into Buzzards Bay, MA Williamson, S*, J.E. Rheuban, J.E. Costa, D.M. Glover, and S.C. Doney College of William & Mary, Virginia Institute of Marine Science swilliamson@vims.edu Nitrogen and chlorophyll­​
a​
concentration in estuarine systems often correlate positively with increased nitrogen input. We assessed interactions between nitrogen load, physical drivers, and water quality indicators for 28 estuaries within the Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts (USA) watershed from 1985­2013. Estimates were derived by combining parcel specific wastewater disposal, point source wastewater discharge, land use, and atmospheric nitrogen deposition data with a previously verified nitrogen loading model. Linear regression analysis was used to quantify temporal trends in individual data sets and characterize relationships between variables. Land­use data indicated that fractional coverage of impervious surfaces increased with time for all sub­watersheds at the expense of vegetation and agriculture land reflecting a growth in residential unit density. Nitrogen loads decreased with time for most watersheds on western Buzzards Bay reflecting decreased atmospheric nitrogen deposition combined with management efforts to mitigate wastewater pollution. Increases in nitrogen sourced from wastewater, driven primarily by the development of on­site wastewater disposal, resulted in overall nitrogen load increases for most watersheds on eastern Buzzards Bay. A possible shift in time was identified for the relationship between nitrogen load and mean summer in situ chlorophyll­​
a​
, which may be partially explained by climatic variables such as precipitation and water column temperature. Page 46 of 56 Morphological variation in mid­Atlantic ​
Dinophysis​
populations 1​
2
Wolny, J.L.*​
and T.A. Egerton​
1​
Maryland Department of Natural Resources 2​
Old Dominion University jennifer.wolny@maryland.gov The dinoflagellate genus ​
Dinophysis​
is an emerging harmful algal bloom (HAB) species in mid­Atlantic coastal and intracoastal waterways. Several ​
Dinophysis​
species, including those found in US waters, have been associated with diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) caused by the production of okadaic acid (OA) and dinophysistoxins (DTX). Complicating HAB management programs tasked with monitoring for Dinophysis​
and its toxins is the morphological variability of several ​
Dinophysis​
species that exhibit varying degrees of toxicity. Morphological and genetic­based methods are currently being tested as methods to distinguish morphotypes of ​
Dinophysis​
. Here we present a morphological analysis of Dinophysis​
found within mid­Atlantic waterways from Massachusetts to Virginia. Results suggest that multiple species may be present in the region and that there is considerable intraspecific morphological variability. Page 47 of 56 NOTES Page 48 of 56 NOTES Page 49 of 56 NOTES Page 50 of 56 NOTES Page 51 of 56 NOTES Page 52 of 56 NOTES Page 53 of 56 NOTES
Page 54 of 56 Become an AERS Member! It’s the perfect forum to present your research & get feedback from prominent estuarine scientists! The Atlantic Estuarine Research Society (AERS) brings together students, scientists, & educators from Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, & Virginia to discuss estuarine and coastal environmental research, issues, & policies. AERS has been meeting since 1949 to foster a broader interest in our environment by increasing public awareness of current topics in estuarine & coastal habitats. AERS, an affiliate of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF), hosts regional meetings twice a year. AERS is a fun & friendly professional society that is always looking for energetic new members – especially students! Becoming a member is easy & inexpensive – membership dues are only $20 ($10 for students) per year! Please visit our website for more details about upcoming events and how to join: www.AERS.info Page 55 of 56 A Knuckle Salute & Thank You to Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Brock Environmental Center Student Travel Endowment Contributors and all of our generous sponsors! Full Sponsors: Contributing Sponsors: OTT Hydromet Old Dominion University Department of Biological Sciences Smartmouth Brewing Company Page 56 of 56