Category: news

A large number of researchers, students, and volunteers associated with the Georgia Coastal Ecosystem (GCE) – Long Term Ecological Research Project (LTER) gathered at UGAMI during the week of October 24-28 for the GCE’s annual fall monitoring. The goal of fall monitoring is to collect an extensive, standardized set of information during the same period every autumn from the GCE’s core sampling sites for use by all of the research projects associated with GCE and for inclusion in GCE’s long term databases. The research team started out a bit “behind the 8-ball” and short-handed due to hurricane Matthew, but with help from volunteers and beautiful clear days, they managed to finish all of their work on schedule. All the vegetation at one of their marsh sampling sites had been flattened by a huge mat of wrack that Hurricane Matthew’s storm surge pushed up into the marsh, but the other sites showed remarkably little signs of the storm. In addition to accomplishing an enormous amount of field sampling, fall monitoring week is a great opportunity for research colleagues from many universities across the country to catch up on each others’ recent research accomplishments.

The Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Research site was established by the National Science Foundation in 2000 and is based at UGAMI. The study area encompasses three adjacent sounds (Altamaha, Doboy, and Sapelo Sounds) and includes upland (mainland, barrier islands, marsh hammocks), intertidal (fresh, brackish and salt marsh) and submerged (river, estuary, continental shelf) habitats. Over 60 participants, representing 14 academic institutions and agencies, are currently involved in GCE research and educational programs. GCE research has contributed significantly to understanding the processes that shape estuarine and marsh environments.

As of Wednesday, Oct. 19^th, UGAMI is open for business following its brush with Hurricane Matthew.  The storm caused no major damage to buildings, boats, or vehicles (see Oct. 10 Post on the effects of Hurricane Matthew). Initially, Georgia Power estimated that it would take 4-5 weeks to restore power to Sapelo Island.  Thanks to the monumental responses of the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources and Georgia Power, it actually took just 6 days to turn the lights back on. The Dept. of Natural Resource’s chainsaw crews cleared the way for Georgia Power’s line crews, who brought several barge-loads of equipment and personnel to the island.

After the power came back on and other systems were restored, UGAMI remained closed to visiting scientists and students as a precaution until it could be verified that the drinking water supply had not been contaminated. Test results made available today give UGAMI’s water supply a clean bill of health. Individuals and groups scheduled to visit UGAMI should expect to find the Institute conducting business as usual.

Timeline of Hurricane Matthew for Sapelo Island

Sep. 28:  Tropical Storm Matthew enters the Caribbean Sea

Sept. 29: Matthew becomes a hurricane

Oct 3-6: Hurricane preparations at UGAMI

Oct 6: UGAMI closed, Sapelo Island evacuated (along with the entire coasts of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina). Hurricane Warning issued for Sapelo Island.

Oct 7: Hurricane Matthew hits

Oct 8: Initial reports from Georgia DNR that UGAMI weathered the storm well but that Sapelo Island’s electrical grid was seriously disrupted. Power restoration estimated to take 4-5 weeks.

Oct 9: Chainsaw crews begin clearing roads, UGAMI staff begins formal damage assessment & cleanup

Oct 12: UGAMI re-opens for staff only

Oct 13: Power is restored to Sapelo Island in the evening

Oct 19: UGAMI re-opens for for all users.

The Southeast Georgia Coast experienced its first major hurricane strike in over a hundred years with Matthew this past week. While only minor damage was incurred, power is currently out, and the Institute remains closed at this time.

U.S. Representative Earl “Buddy” Carter (Georgia, 1st district) visited Sapelo Island to learn about the research and education programs at UGAMI.

New research published in Nature Communication sshows that a mutualistic relationship — where two organisms benefit from each other’s activities — between ribbed mussels and salt marsh grasses may play a critical role in helping salt marshes bounce back from extreme climate events such as drought.

UGA hosted a retreat for Georgia’s federal legislative staffers on the university’s main campus in Athens in August.

UGAMI’s recent hire will address the Institute’s strategic priority to strengthen educational opportunities for undergraduates.

Visitors include researchers from Creighton University and University of Houston, as well as graduate students and interns, and undergraduates from UGA’s Coastal Summer Semester and Interdisciplinary Field Program.