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HURRICANE KATRINA IMPACTS AND
RESPONSES IN A PRISTINE COASTAL SALT MARSH ESTUARY
Research by Dr. Madilyn Fletcher
Department of Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal
Sciences/Marine Science/Biological Sciences
This study set out to assess the impacts of Hurricane
Katrina on the environmentally rich habitat within a
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
network at the Grand Bay, Mississippi, National
Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR).
Specifically, University of South Carolina researchers
aimed to accomplish three goals: 1) help re-establish
storm-damaged monitoring instrumentation and data
streams crucial for tracking time-scales of recovery in
this ecosystem; 2) assess initial impacts of Hurricane
Katrina on estuarine and upland groundwater water
quality and marsh vegetation condition; and 3) develop a
rapid assessment plan for the Grand Bay NERR that would
guide the collection of perishable data in future storm
events.
USC researchers found that salt marsh estuary quickly
readjusted after Hurricane Katrina, and there were no
marked impacts on marsh vegetation or estuarine habitat.
Subsequent monitoring also determined that there was no
groundwater intrusion within one month after the storm,
although researchers plan to monitor possible slow
intrusion in the longer term. The salt marsh habitat
contrasts markedly with developed areas, which
experienced extreme damage. Indeed, researchers
determined that it was markedly resilient when
challenged with hurricane impacts, although longer-term
change caused by increased salinity runoff from the
upland forest is still a possibility. Researchers are
also conducting ongoing monitoring of marsh vegetation
communities, with sampling of emergent grasses and
coastal woodlands for long-term effects.
Since immediate impacts of the storm did not persist,
there was a narrow window for sampling perishable data.
Therefore, to understand the degree to which the estuary
was affected before its initial recovery, researchers
needed to have an assessment plan and resources ready in
advance of severe events. Researchers determined that
the plan must account for personnel and resource
capacity and use outside collaborators not personally
impacted by the event. The research team developed a
rapid-response plan to facilitate documentation of
near-term impacts in future storm events. This plan will
identify personnel and sampling locations, define the
necessary logistics, establish reliable lines of
communication, and identify roles and responsibilities.
It will serve as a guide for development of other
site-specific plans for additional estuarine sites.
 Combined
with existing baseline information for this estuary,
this study provides a basis for subsequent research
addressing long-term resiliency of pristine coastal salt
marsh estuaries. Researchers concluded that the
scientific community provides a framework of
relationships to offer a mutual support system that can
bring aid to those impacted by disasters. Through the
development of rapid assessment plans for determining
impacts to high-value estuarine communities, researchers
will be able to better understand and protect the
integrity of the nation’s valuable estuarine systems.
Researchers determined that continuation of
collaborative efforts would also provide for the
efficient use of public funding and resources.
USC researchers will disseminate analyses of the marsh
vegetation assessment, and longer-term hydrological
changes will be disseminated through publications. On a
personal note, Dr. Fletcher said nothing is more
important in a disaster situation than helping
colleagues and others faced with such devastating
change. It is important to assess the scientific aspects
of such tragedies, while remaining sensitive to the
personal crises of the people involved and helping in
numerous creative and supportive ways, she said.
Biography
Dr. Madilyn Fletcher is director of the Belle W.
Baruch Institute for Marine Biology and Coastal Research
at the University of South Carolina, where she develops,
oversees, and coordinates multidisciplinary research
activities involving faculty in the Departments of
Biological Sciences, Geological Sciences, and School of
Public Health, among others. Dr. Fletcher is also
principal investigator for the Carolinas Coastal Ocean
Observing and Prediction System, co-scientific
investigator and Executive Committee member for the
Southeast Atlantic Coastal Ocean Observing System,
serves on the Executive Committee of the Board on Oceans
and Atmosphere of the National Association of State
Universities and Land Grant Colleges and is a member of
its Board on Natural Resources and chair of its Ecology
Section.
Research Team/Collaborators:
Dr. Madilyn Fletcher, Director of the Baruch
Institute, is lead principal investigator. Dr. Dwayne
Porter, Baruch Institute/Arnold School of Public Health,
played a leading role and has in-depth experience in
NERR systems and data-management requirements. Samuel
Walker, Ph.D. student with Dr. Porter, provided
essential leadership and expertise throughout the
project. Dr. Erik Smith research coordinator, North
Inlet-Winyah Bay, South Carolina, NERR; Dr. Health
Kelsey, Ph.D., Environmental Health Sciences; and Jeff
Jefferson of the Baruch Institute were all essential
team members who provided expertise water-quality issues
and field logistics. Co-principal investigator Dr. Mark
Woodrey, research coordinator for the Grand Bay NERR,
provided invaluable guidance and support at the research
site in Mississippi. |
