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Title: Mangrove Morphological Change Across an Environmental Gradients: Implications for Competitive Ability in a Changing Climate.
Creator: Standish, Hilary, Proffitt, C. Edward, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: In Florida, mangroves have responded to climate change by slowly migrating northward into traditional salt marsh habitat. However, little is understood about the relationships among mangrove growth form plasticity and environmental conditions. In addition, the effects of the mangrove northward expansion on pre-existing salt marsh communities are unknown, especially any influences of differences in tree morphology. The size, canopy structure, and root structure of the three mangrove species...
Show moreIn Florida, mangroves have responded to climate change by slowly migrating northward into traditional salt marsh habitat. However, little is understood about the relationships among mangrove growth form plasticity and environmental conditions. In addition, the effects of the mangrove northward expansion on pre-existing salt marsh communities are unknown, especially any influences of differences in tree morphology. The size, canopy structure, and root structure of the three mangrove species Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, and Laguncularia racemosa were measured at six sites along the east coast of Florida. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the multivariate relationships between environmental and biotic variables. Mangrove growth form varied widely with environmental variables. The results of this study suggest that R. mangle expansion into salt marsh may rely on interactions with salt marsh and shading as well as on climatic variables, which has implications for future mangrove expansion northward in Florida.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004759, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004759
Subject Headings: Mangrove forests--Florida., Mangrove management., Mangrove ecology., Mangrove conservation., Marine ecosystem management--Florida., Coastal zone management--Florida., Forest ecology., Climatic changes--Florida.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Alkaline Phosphatase Activity of Seagrass and Water Column Fractions in Florida Bay.
Creator: Kletou, Demetris, Koch, Marguerite, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Few phosphorus (P) depleted coastal marine ecosystems have been examined for their capacity to hydrolyze phosphomonoesters (PMEs). The purpose of this study was to examine seasonal APA partitioning between water column fractions (phytoplankton, bacteria and freely dissolved) and benthic autotrophs in Florida Bay, a P limited shallow estuary using low fluorescent substrate (MUF-P) concentrations (≤2.0 μm). APA was higher at the western and northcentral (751 and 695 nmol L^-1 h^-1) sites and...
Show moreFew phosphorus (P) depleted coastal marine ecosystems have been examined for their capacity to hydrolyze phosphomonoesters (PMEs). The purpose of this study was to examine seasonal APA partitioning between water column fractions (phytoplankton, bacteria and freely dissolved) and benthic autotrophs in Florida Bay, a P limited shallow estuary using low fluorescent substrate (MUF-P) concentrations (≤2.0 μm). APA was higher at the western and northcentral (751 and 695 nmol L^-1 h^-1) sites and driven by cyanobacterial blooms, compared to the P limited northeastern (359 nmol L^-1 h^-1) site The free dissolved fraction (<0.2 μm) accounted for the most APA (~50%), followed by the phytoplankton (>1 μm; 30%) and bacteria fraction (<0.2-> 1.2 μm; 8%). Thaiassia testudinum leaves with their associated epiphytes contributed modestly to water column APA (14 and 20%), and only during non-bloom conditions. Rapid hydrolysis of PMEs (undetected in most samplings) in Florida Bay is probably driven by high concentration of organic substrates for microbial and cyanobacterial activity which results from the close association of the shallow water column with the underlying seagrass community and adjacent Everglades wetlands.
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Date Issued: 2007
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000780
Subject Headings: Coastal ecology--Florida, Coastal zone management--Florida, Estuarine sediments--Florida--Florida Bay, Aquaculture--Environmental aspects--Florida
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Fish, macrocrustacean and avian population dynamics and cohabitation in tidally influenced impounded subtropical wetlands.
Creator: Gilmore, R. G., Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Date Issued: 1986
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3183731
Subject Headings: Symposium on Waterfowl and Wetlands Management in the Coastal Zone of the Atlantic Flyway (1986 : Wilmington, Del.), Wetland management, Salt marsh ecology--Florida, Mangrove ecology--Florida
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Using a Groundwater Influenced Sea Level Rise Model to Assess the Costs Due to Sea-Level Rise on a Coastal Community’s Stormwater Infrastructure Using Limited Groundwater Data.
Creator: Wood, Michael Burton Jr, Bloetscher, Frederick, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
Abstract/Description: A confounding factor for sea level rise (SLR) is that it has a slow, steady creep, which provides a false sense for coastal communities. Stresses caused by SLR at today’s rate are more pronounced in southeastern Florida and as the rate of SLR accelerates, the exposure areas will increase to a point where nearly all the state’s coastal infrastructure will be challenged. The research was conducted to develop a method for measuring the impact of SLR on the City of West Palm Beach (City), assess...
Show moreA confounding factor for sea level rise (SLR) is that it has a slow, steady creep, which provides a false sense for coastal communities. Stresses caused by SLR at today’s rate are more pronounced in southeastern Florida and as the rate of SLR accelerates, the exposure areas will increase to a point where nearly all the state’s coastal infrastructure will be challenged. The research was conducted to develop a method for measuring the impact of SLR on the City of West Palm Beach (City), assess its impact on the stormwater system, identify vulnerable areas in the City, provide an estimate of long-term costs of improvements, and provide a toolbox or strategies to employ at the appropriate time. The assessment was conducted by importing tidal, groundwater, topographic LiDAR and infrastructure improvements into geographic modeling software and performing analysis based on current data. The data revealed that over $400 million in current dollars might be needed to address stormwater issues arising from SLR before 2100.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004798, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004798
Subject Headings: Climatic changes., Coastal zone management., Ecosystem management., Sea level--Climatic factors--Florida--West Palm Beach., Water--Environmental aspects.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Modeling Study on The Effects of Seagrass Beds on the Hydrodynamics in the Indian River Lagoon.
Creator: Habib, MD Ahsan, Jiang, Mingshun, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
Abstract/Description: Seagrass is a key stone component for the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) ecosystem, and therefore it is an important topic for many studies in the lagoon. This study focuses on the effects of seagrass beds on the hydrodynamics in the IRL. A hydrodynamic model based on the Delft3D modeling system has been developed for the southern IRL including the St. Lucie estuary, Ft. Pierce and St. Lucie Inlets, and adjacent coastal waters. The model is driven by freshwater inputs from the watershed, tides,...
Show moreSeagrass is a key stone component for the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) ecosystem, and therefore it is an important topic for many studies in the lagoon. This study focuses on the effects of seagrass beds on the hydrodynamics in the IRL. A hydrodynamic model based on the Delft3D modeling system has been developed for the southern IRL including the St. Lucie estuary, Ft. Pierce and St. Lucie Inlets, and adjacent coastal waters. The model is driven by freshwater inputs from the watershed, tides, meteorological forcing, and oceanic boundary forcing. The model has been systematically calibrated through a series of numerical experiments for key parameters, particularly the bottom roughness, and configuration including heat flux formulation and bottom bathymetry. The model skills were evaluated with quantitative metrics (point-to-point correlation, root-mean-square difference, and mean bias) to gauge the agreements between model and data for key variables including temperature, salinity, and currents. A three-year (2013-2015) simulation has been performed, and the results have been validated with available data including observations at HBOI Land-Ocean Biogeochemistry Observatory (LOBO) stations and in situ measurements from various sources. The validated model is then used to investigate the effects of 1) model vertical resolution (total number of model vertical layers), 2) spatial variability of surface winds, and 3) seagrass beds on the simulated hydrodynamics. The study focuses on the vicinity of Ft. Pierce Inlet, where significant seagrass coverage can be found. A series of numerical experiments were performed with a combination of different configurations. Overall, the experiment with 2-dimensional (2-D) winds, ten vertical layers and incorporating seagrass provided the most satisfactory outcomes. Overall, both vertical resolution and spatial variability of surface winds affect significantly the model results. In particular, increasing vertical resolution improves model prediction of temperature, salinity and currents. Similarly, the model with 2-D winds yields more realistic results than the model forced by 0-D winds. The seagrass beds have significant effects on the model results, particularly the tidal and sub-tidal currents. In general, model results show that both tidal and sub-tidal currents are much weaker due to increase bottom friction from seagrass. For tidal currents, the strongest impacts lie in the main channel (inter-coastal waterway) and western part of the lagoon, where strong tidal currents can be found. Inclusion of seagrass in the model also improves the simulation of sub-tidal currents. Seagrass beds also affect model temperature and salinity including strengthening vertical stratification. In general, seagrass effects vary over time, particularly tidal cycle with stronger effects seen in flood and ebb tides, and seasonal cycle with stronger effects in the summer than in winter.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004774, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004774
Subject Headings: Turtle grass--Environmental aspects., Seagrasses--Ecology., Grassed waterways., Wave resistance (Hydrodynamics), Wetland ecology., Estuarine ecology., Estuarine restoration., Coastal zone management.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Potential applications for recycled glass in beach management: Emergency stabilization of erosional "hot spots" in Broward County, Florida.
Creator: Kerwin, Loisa, Florida Atlantic University, Finkl, Charles W., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: In Florida beach renourishment is the preferred management technique used to maintain the integrity of local beaches, which generate over 7.9 billion a year in revenues from tourism. Beaches are dynamic and often exhibit accelerated rates of erosion and shoreline retreat. Sites that erode more than twice the regional background rate are classified as "erosional hot spots" (EHS). Emergency remediation of EHS is necessary to avoid loss of beach sand from renourished beaches. Because suitable...
Show moreIn Florida beach renourishment is the preferred management technique used to maintain the integrity of local beaches, which generate over 7.9 billion a year in revenues from tourism. Beaches are dynamic and often exhibit accelerated rates of erosion and shoreline retreat. Sites that erode more than twice the regional background rate are classified as "erosional hot spots" (EHS). Emergency remediation of EHS is necessary to avoid loss of beach sand from renourished beaches. Because suitable offshore borrow materials are limited in Broward County, coastal managers are seeking alternative sources of compatible beach fill materials. The manufacturing of glass sand from processed recycled glass is a new, innovative technology. This report evaluates the potential application of glass sand for EHS remediation along renourished shores. Benefits of processed glass sand are: (1) preferred grain size by crushing of recycled glass, (2) an environmentally inert material, and (3) physical properties similar to the composition and color of native sand. The recycling industry in Florida generates almost 100,000 m^3 of glass a year, 30% of which is unsuitable for recycling. Alternative uses for waste glass cullet are being sought to reduce the high cost of disposal in landfills.
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Date Issued: 1997
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15453
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Perceived risk versus actual risk to sea-level rise: a case study in Broward County, Florida.
Creator: Bolter, Keren P., Hindle, Tobin, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: Global climate change stressors downscale to specific local vulnerabilities, requiring customized adaptation strategies. Southeast Florida has a high likelihood of sealevel rise impact to due to the low-lying porous limestone geology. High risk is coupled with high exposure due to high-valued coastal properties, productive ecosystems, and dense populations. Coastal populations are particularly at risk due to erosion, inundation and storm surge, but interior populations are also susceptible to...
Show moreGlobal climate change stressors downscale to specific local vulnerabilities, requiring customized adaptation strategies. Southeast Florida has a high likelihood of sealevel rise impact to due to the low-lying porous limestone geology. High risk is coupled with high exposure due to high-valued coastal properties, productive ecosystems, and dense populations. Coastal populations are particularly at risk due to erosion, inundation and storm surge, but interior populations are also susceptible to rising water tables and extended periods of inundation. All of these impacts are amplified by sea-level rise. Robust sea-level rise adaptation options require significant economic costs. If perceived risk does not adequately line up with actual risk, lack of funds and preparation will prevent implementation of the most effective strategies.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004268, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004268
Subject Headings: Climatic changes -- Florida -- Broward County -- Case studies, Coastal ecology -- Florida -- Broward County -- Case studies, Coastal zone management -- Florida -- Broward County -- Case studies, Hazardous geographic environments -- Florida -- Broward County -- Case studies, Sea level -- Florida -- Broward County -- Case studies
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Mapping wetland vegetation with LIDAR in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA.
Creator: De Stoppelaire, Georgia H., Xie, Zhixiao, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: Knowledge of the geospatial distribution of vegetation is fundamental for resource management. The objective of this study is to investigate the possible use of airborne LIDAR (light detection and ranging) data to improve classification accuracy of high spatial resolution optical imagery and compare the ability of two classification algorithms to accurately identify and map wetland vegetation communities. In this study, high resolution imagery integrated with LIDAR data was compared jointly...
Show moreKnowledge of the geospatial distribution of vegetation is fundamental for resource management. The objective of this study is to investigate the possible use of airborne LIDAR (light detection and ranging) data to improve classification accuracy of high spatial resolution optical imagery and compare the ability of two classification algorithms to accurately identify and map wetland vegetation communities. In this study, high resolution imagery integrated with LIDAR data was compared jointly and alone; and the nearest neighbor (NN) and machine learning random forest (RF) classifiers were assessed in semi-automated geographic object-based image analysis (GEOBIA) approaches for classification accuracy of heterogeneous vegetation assemblages at Everglades National Park, FL, USA.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004276
Subject Headings: Everglades National Park (Fla.)--Environmental conditions., Geographic information systems--Florida--Everglades Region., Ecosystem management--Florida--Everglades Region., Vegetation monitoring--Florida--Everglades National Park., Wetland management--Florida--Everglades National Park., Coastal zone management--Remote sensing--Florida--Everglades National Park., Environmental mapping--Florida--Everglades National Park., Environmental monitoring--Remote sensing--Florida--Everglades National Park.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Inlet-Adjacent Shoreline Behavior at Three Stabilized Inlets in Palm Beach County, FL (USA).
Creator: Vandamas, Edward A, Briggs, Tiffany Roberts, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: Shorelines are a primary source of attraction for the nearly two million tourists who visit Palm Beach County annually. Many of Palm Beach County beaches are located on barrier islands, separated by a series of inlets which serve as access points to the Intracoastal Waterway. However, inlets are often cited as a source of erosion, through interruption of littoral drift and interaction with nearshore hydrodynamics (e.g., causing wave diffraction or refraction). In an effort to mitigate...
Show moreShorelines are a primary source of attraction for the nearly two million tourists who visit Palm Beach County annually. Many of Palm Beach County beaches are located on barrier islands, separated by a series of inlets which serve as access points to the Intracoastal Waterway. However, inlets are often cited as a source of erosion, through interruption of littoral drift and interaction with nearshore hydrodynamics (e.g., causing wave diffraction or refraction). In an effort to mitigate potential negative impacts of the economically important tidal inlets, Palm Beach County has installed a sand transfer plant (STP) at two inlet locations, the Lake Worth Inlet and the South Lake Worth Inlet. Through analysis of annual aerial photography and beach profile surveys taken between 2000 and 2009, this study will determine what effect, if any, these sand transfer plants are having on the inlet-adjacent shorelines north and south of the two inlets with STP, as well as an inlet without an STP (Boca Inlet). This study hopes to increase the understanding of shoreline dynamics in Palm Beach County, which could recognize important alongshore patterns, such as the occurrence of erosional hot spots, to assist in future mitigation efforts.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004554, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004554
Subject Headings: Beach erosion -- Florida -- Lake Worth Inlet -- Prevention, Beach erosion -- Florida -- South Lake Worth Inlet -- Prevention, Coastal changes -- Florida -- Palm Beach County, Coastal zone management -- Florida -- Palm Beach County, Geodynamics, Soil conservation -- Florida -- Lake Worth Inlet, Soil conservation -- Florida -- South Lake Worth Inlet, Sustainable development
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Mechanisms Controlling Distribution of Cosmopolitan Submerged Aquatic Vegetation: A Model Study of Ruppia maritima L. (widgeongrass) at the Everglades-Florida Bay Ecotone.
Creator: Strazisar, Theresa, Koch, Marguerite, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Aquatic plants and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) are some of the most wide-ranging species and create important habitat for fish and wildlife in many ecosystems, including highly variable coastal ecotones. Mechanistically understanding factors controlling current distributions of these species is critical to project future distribution and abundance under increasing variability and climate change. I used a population-based approach to quantify the effects of spatial and temporal...
Show moreAquatic plants and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) are some of the most wide-ranging species and create important habitat for fish and wildlife in many ecosystems, including highly variable coastal ecotones. Mechanistically understanding factors controlling current distributions of these species is critical to project future distribution and abundance under increasing variability and climate change. I used a population-based approach to quantify the effects of spatial and temporal variability on life history transitions of the SAV Ruppia maritima L. (widgeongrass) in the highly dynamic Everglades-Florida Bay ecotone as a model to (1) examine which life history stages were most constrained by these conditions and (2) determine how management can promote life history development to enhance its distribution, an Everglades restoration target. Ruppia maritima life history transitions were quantified in a series of laboratory and field experiments encompassing a ra nge of abiotic and biotic factors known to affect seagrass and SAV (salinity, salinity variability, temperature, light and nutrients and seed bank recruitment and competition). These studies revealed that R. maritima life history varied east to west across the Everglades ecotone, driven by multiple gradients in abiotic factors that constrained different life history transitions in distinct ways. Based on this examination, persistence of SAV populations from dynamic coastal environments is highly dependent on large reproductive events that produce high propagule densities for recruitment. Large productive meadows of SAV also depend on high rates of clonal reproduction where vegetation completely regenerates in a short amount of time. Therefore, in hydrologically variable systems, maintenance or increases in SAV reproduction is required for population persistence through recruitment. However, SAV communities that do not experience high rates of sexual reproduction are dependent on successful seed germination, seedling and adult survival and clonal reproduction for biomass production and maintenance. Seedling survival and to a lesser extent, adult survival, are bottlenecks that can limit life history transitions under highly variable hydrological conditions. To ensure long-term survival in these communities, management activities that increase survival and successful life history development through these critical stages will be beneficial. If not, SAV populations may become highly reduced and ephemeral, providing less productive habitat.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004549, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004549
Subject Headings: Coastal zone management, Ruppia maritima -- Ecology -- Everglades National Park (Fla.), Ruppia maritima -- Ecology -- Florida Bay (Fla.), Seagrasses -- Everglades National Park (Fla.), Seagrasses -- Florida Bay (Fla.), Wetland ecology -- Everglades National Park (Fla.), Wetland ecology -- Florida Bay (Fla.)
Format: Document (PDF)

FAU Theses and Dissertations (27)	+ -
HBOI Faculty Contributions (3)	+ -

Coastal zone management (12)	+ -
Coastal zone management--Florida (5)	+ -
Beach nourishment (3)	+ -
Coastal zone management. (3)	+ -
Sea level (3)	+ -

Coastal ecology (2)	+ -
Sediments (Geology) (2)	+ -
Aerial photography in geomorphology (1)	+ -
Algorithms. (1)	+ -
Aquaculture--Environmental aspects--Florida (1)	+ -
ArcGIS (1)	+ -
Beach erosion -- Florida -- Lake Worth Inlet -- Prevention (1)	+ -
Beach erosion -- Florida -- South Lake Worth Inlet -- Prevention (1)	+ -
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Beaches (1)	+ -
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Climate change mitigation (1)	+ -
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Shore protection--Florida--Broward County (1)	+ -

Electronic Thesis or Dissertation (27)	+ -
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