Nest Site Characteristics of Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) on the South Fork of Long Island, NY

To properly manage the populations of endangered birds it is important to understand the factors affecting nest survival. Ground nesting birds, such as the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus), are at risk of nest loss from predation and tidal flooding, which varies among nesting sites. Nest site selection characteristics may affect those threats. I compared nests from the low-wave energy Peconic Bay shorelines (n=25) and the high-wave energy Atlantic Ocean shorelines (n=26) on the South Fork of Long Island, NY in 2013. I measured nest site characteristics including the substrate composition and vegetation cover as well as nest distance from vegetation and high tide line. Mean ± SE percent sand cover was greater for ocean nests (87.61%±1.63%) than bay nests (51.44±3.76%; P \u3c 0.001), as was percent vegetation cover (Ocean- 7.80±1.75%; Bay-1.34±0.68%; P \u3c 0.001). Percent shell cover was greater for bay nests (10.34±1.54%) than for ocean nests (2.56±0.73%; P \u3c 0.001). The distance to the high tide line relative to the width of the beach (distance/width) was 0.87 for ocean nests and 0.72 for bay nests. These findings can be used to assist land managers in the protection of the threatened Piping Plover. Understanding the nest site characteristics, land managers can use vegetation management on ocean beaches due to the large percent of vegetated nests, and continue predation management on both bay and ocean beaches. Also understanding the preferred nest sites, pre-nest fencing can be established to protect ideal nesting habitats from human disturbance

Students' Conceptions of Scale Regarding Groundwater

This study involved surveying three groups of students regarding their ideas about the structure, scale, and percieved importance of groundwater. The survey results show that many participants selected sizes of groundwater structures that mirrored surface analogs; however, some students applied scales on the order of houses and skyscrapers to typical pore and crack structures. The authors' research indicates that students bring to the classroom many misconceptions that are well-positioned to interfere with their understanding of hydrogeologic principles. Educational levels: Graduate or professional

Water Budget of a Surficial Aquifer in the Lower Coastal Plain: ACE Basin, SC

2014 S.C. Water Resources Conference - Informing Strategic Water Planning to Address Natural Resource, Community and Economic Challenge

Water Budget of a Shallow Aquifer in the Lower Coastal Plain: ACE Basin, SC

The expansive tidal salt marshes of South Carolina support a unique and sensitive ecosystem providing environmental and economic value to the coastal community. These tidal ecosystems are often altered by sea level rise through various processes, including the lesser-known stress of saltwater intrusion in groundwater systems. The goal of this research was to measure the baseline groundwater dynamics of an undeveloped tidal saltmarsh. Groundwater wells were installed along transects from the upland into the marsh and a culminating water budget of the watershed was developed. Analysis of water table dynamics showed that in the upland zone, evapotranspiration and precipitation were the dominant processes, whereas in the marsh zone and the uplands directly adjacent to the marsh, water table fluctuations were dominated by tides. An influencing feature for the site was the large tidal creek (Big Bay Creek), which is a tributary of the South Edisto River. The cut bank of Big Bay Creek was adjacent to the south end of the study site where tidal influence on the shallow groundwater was observed. The location of an ephemeral stream through the site was considered as a potential pathway for saltwater intrusion into the uplands, yet this was not confirmed. Groundwater response rates were likely influenced by the presence of fine-grained, well-drained sandy soils. Application of this research will assist coastal resource managers identifying pathways of marsh migration as driven by future seal level rise

Hydrologic Influences Within a Tidal Freshwater Forested Wetland

2012 S.C. Water Resources Conference - Exploring Opportunities for Collaborative Water Research, Policy and Managemen

Using Dissolved Organic Carbon Concentration and Character Data to Assess Land Use Change Effects on Coastal Waters

2016 South Carolina Water Resources Conference South Carolina Water Resources at a Crossroads: Response, Readiness and Recover

Application of Geochemical End-member Mixing Analysis to Delineate Water Sources in a Lowland Watershed

2008 S.C. Water Resources Conference - Addressing Water Challenges Facing the State and Regio