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GCE-affiliated researchers have published a new paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on the patterns and trends of belowground biomass in salt marshes. The team, led by Kyle Runion (UT Austin, now a Research Scientist at UGA) and Jessica O’Connell (Colorado State), used the Belowground Ecosystem Resiliency Model (BERM) to estimate both above- and belowground biomass of Spartina marshes along the entire Georgia coast (691 km²) over a ten-year period (2014-2023). Most of the field data used to calibrate the model came from samples collected on Sapelo Island. The researchers found that a decline in belowground material often preceded above-ground loss, making it an important indicator of marsh vulnerability. You can read more about it here, and access the paper itself here.

Since 1988, students participating in the UGA Interdisciplinary Field Program (IFP) have been making an 8-week trip from coast to coast while taking courses in geology, anthropology and ecology. The UGA Marine Institute on Sapelo Island is the first stop on this 12,000-mile excursion, and is the only time that the students sleep in dorm rooms instead of camping out. The students spend their time on Sapelo in IFP “boot camp” of introductory lectures, labs, and field excursions. According to IFP Director Julia Cox, “The UGAMI facilities and environmental setting are everything we need to build a strong program foundation in IFP students before we start our epic road trip across the country.” For more information on the Interdisciplinary Field Program see https://uga-ifp.org

We’ve welcomed several new (and returning) staff members over the past few months, and wanted to take a minute to introduce them:

Assistant Director for Academics: Dr. Nuette Gordon has joined the UGAMI staff as the new Assistant Director for Academics. Dr. Gordon received her Ph.D. in the Dept. of Botany in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa, in 2012 and has relevant experience in teaching, supervising student research, and administration. She has been at the University of the Seychelles since 2019, where she headed the Environmental and Marine Sciences Department as well as co-managed the James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute. Dr. Gordon is now living and working on Sapelo, so be sure to stop by the next time you’re at the Institute.

Program Coordinator: Jonah Rigdon is our incoming Program Coordinator. Jonah is taking over for Gracie Townsend, who is set to retire at the end of June (more on Gracie later). Jonah actually started his UGAMI career as a student in the Marine Biology Spring semester and then worked as a technician for the GCE-LTER from 2022 to 2024 before leaving to hike the Appalachian Trail. Jonah has moved back to the Island and is now the go-to person for visits to UGAMI. We’re thrilled to have him in this new role.

Building Services Lead: Jennifer Hayes, who started at UGAMI in 2023, has been promoted to lead the building services department. This new position is taking charge of custodial care and manages the cleaning department.  Jenn took on her new duties on June 1 and has hit the ground running, with two new building services workers coming on-board to work with Jenn and long-time employee Stephanie Adams. Summer is a busy time and we appreciate all of their efforts.

The UGAMI Maymester class has been out and about this last week studying the “Life and Death of the Salt Marsh” with Dr Carrie Pucko from the Plant Biology Department at UGA. Students are exploring the different habitats on Sapelo Island, learning about ongoing research projects, and working with UGAMI staff aboard the R/V Spartina to identify fish in the Duplin River. They are even getting a chance to apply their artistic skills to help communicate science: Plankton samples collected during the trawl were used as inspiration for creating clay sculptures under the watchful eye of artist Jennifer Heynen.

UGAMI is in the process of installing two new 4-bedroom cottages. These are modular units that are climate resilient and energy efficient. They were built in a facility in southwest GA, and then began their journey to Sapelo Island. Each cottage was constructed as two halves so that they could be transported on a tractor-trailer. Once they reached Meridian the trailers were loaded onto the barge and then brought over to the main dock at Marsh Landing. These were heavy loads for the barge, and so they had to be timed for spring high tide. We also worked with DNR to clear the vehicles from the parking lot. In the end we had 4 successful trips and the half-cottages are now at UGAMI awaiting installation in Magnolia Circle. We are hoping that they will be ready for occupancy in early summer.

The R/V Spartina (a 44-ft Thompson Trawler) just came back from the shipyard with a new winch and cable. We also modified the rigging so that it can be trawled from the stern, which will make it easier to handle. The vessel is used for both research and education.

UGAMI is currently seeking a Program Coordinator to coordinate all aspects of the visitor experience, from booking reservations to facilitating visits to supporting education and outreach. The position requires irregular hours and residency on Sapelo Island (housing is available). Applications are due March 21, with a start date of June 1, 2025.

UGAMI also has openings for both a Lead Building Services Worker and a Temporary Building Services Worker.