Department of Geological, Environmental and Marine Sciences Remote Sensing Lab

ECSU's Department of Geological, Environmental and Marine Sciences (GEMS) Remote Sensing Lab is presently conducting a three year NOAA funded project entitled " North Carolina Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Implementation Support through Directed Research and Remote Sensing". The project is a collaborative effort between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), ECSU, the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (DCM), and the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF). ECSU is collaborating with agencies within the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to develop appropriate implementation strategies as part of the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan (CHPP) process. Applications of remotely sensed data (both aerial photography and satellite imagery) are being used to better identify, quantify, protect and enhance critical fish habitats that support marine, estuarine and anadromous fisheries, particularly in the northeastern region of North Carolina and the southeastern portion of Virgina. Dr. San Juan is principle investigator and Liz Noble is project coordinator of the NOAA Environmental Entrpreneurship Program (EEP). Research Assistants include Jacklyn James, Shanna Chamblis, Reginald Bazemore, Emma Sawyer, Matthew Woolard, Richard Hewlin, Solomon Griffin, Heather Allen, and Aubrey Jones. 

Additional SAV research being initiated at ECSU includes work by Dr. Kathleen Fischer, Assistant Professor in the GEMS Department at ECSU. Dr. Fisher, a geochemist, is interested in understanding the environmental factors that trigger enhanced SAV growth in Albermale and Currituck sounds, particularly favorable climatic conditions, optimal dissolved nutrient levels and/or low suspended solid concentrations. This research proposes to monitor SAV distribution and duration during periods of low and high coverage by collecting data on SAV species compositon, water chemistry (dissolved oxygen and dissolved nutrient concentrations, temperature, salinity, clarity and trace metals), suspended sediment concentrations, bottom sediment characteristics, and meterological conditions.

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Mapping and Monitoring Project

SAV beds found at Harvey Point

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) is a fish habitat dominated by one or more species of submersed rooted vascular plants such as eelgrass (Zostera marina), shoalgrass (Halodule wrightii) and widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima). Brackish and freshwater species include native wild celery (Vallisneria americana), and exotic Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum). The bed is defined by the presence of above-ground leaves or below-ground specialized horizontal roots called rhizomes and propagules (seeds or portions of new plants), together with the sediment on which the plants grow. SAV does not include macroalgae and floating aquatic plants, which lack true roots and are more ephemeral in nature, although these plants may be a floral component within SAV habitat.

SAV found at Harvey Point.

SAV provides habitat for fish and wildlife, food for waterfowl, absorbs nutrients and produces dissolved oxygen. SAV is a valuable fish habitat, particularly because of its role in providing a large food base to coastal fish and other organisms and its role as a nursery for numerous important commercial and recreational fishery species. Historical accounts indicate that there have been large-scale losses of SAV in North Carolina's low salinity tributaries on the mainland side of Pamlico and Albemarle sounds. Stock status of many SAV dependent fishery species in North Carolina are overfished or of concern.

Grass shrimp and crabs found in SAV at Harvey Point.

Protection and enhancement of this habitat is a high priority for those species, particularly blue crab, gag, gray snapper, Atlantic croaker, red drum, and bay scallop. As population, boating activity, and shoreline development increases, losses are likely to continue if steps are not actively taken to protect SAV and associated water quality.

Juvenile and adult finfish, shrimp, and crabs use SAV as shelter from predators. Many species occupy SAV at some point in their life cycle (Thayer et al. 1984). However, the importance of SAV to species depends on its relative contribution to their refuge, spawning, nursery, foraging, and corridor needs. Some species use SAV indirectly by consuming detritus transported to other habitats by winds and currents. Other species consume SAV directly, or prowl the edge of the beds for an easy meal. Still other species find refuge from predation within the beds, while foraging on tiny plants and animals concentrated there. Presumably, species and life stages that are collected at higher densities in SAV habitat than other habitats must depend on SAV habitat.

Researcher Tracy Staton taking samples of SAV and water for project to research in lab. As you can see, on this day the water clarity was 5 on a scale of 0-5, 5 being the clearest. Beds of SAV occur in subtidal, and occasionally intertidal areas of sheltered inshore waters where there is unconsolidated substrate, adequate light exposure on the bottom, and moderate to negligible water velocities or turbulence (Thayer and Fonseca 1984; Ferguson and Wood 1994). The factors generally considered to limit the success of SAV are salinity, turbulence, nutrients, and light. Seagrasses occur along the entire east coast of the United States, with the exception of South Carolina and Georgia, where freshwater input, high turbidity, and tidal amplitude inhibit their occurrence. North Carolina currently supports approximately 200,000 acres of SAV beds, second only to Florida.

SAV habitat includes marine, estuarine and riverine vascular plants, which are rooted in sediment. A few species have their flowers protruding just above the water surface; at all other times SAVs are entirely submerged (Hurley 1990). These species dry up and die if removed from the water for any length of time. Cold weather and cooler water temperatures also contribute to SAV die offs. Leaves and stems have specialized thin-walled cells (aerenchyma) with large intercellular air spaces to provide additional buoyancy and support. Leaves and stems are generally thin and lack the waxy cuticle found in terrestrial plants. The lack of a waxy cuticle increases the exchange of water, nutrients and gasses with the water (Hurley 1990). The extensive root and rhizome system anchors the plants, and also absorbs nutrients (Thayer et al 1984). Reproduction occurs both sexually and asexually, and some species such as eelgrass can exist as perennials or annuals. Some algae such as sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) resemble SAV but are seaweed, not a true vascular plant.