Re-Engineering Living Shorelines for High-Energy Coastal Environments - NERRS/NSC(NERRS Science Collaborative)

This project conducted field research at six shoreline sites in the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve in northeast Florida. At each of the six study sites, the project team installed experimental living shoreline treatments. Between November 2015 and June 2019, several physical and biological variables were routinely monitored to evaluate the performance of the living shoreline installations, including: (1) ecological response variables for the adjacent marsh (2) data about the oysters and invertebrates that colonized the new living shoreline structures, and (3) hydrodynamic measurements around the new structures.

Estuaries worldwide face an alarming loss of salt marsh and oyster reef, especially along high-energy shorelines where there is significant boat wake and wave action. Living shorelines, a form of natural bank stabilization, offer coastal managers a promising approach to dampen boat wake and wave stress, mitigate erosion, and restore oysters. However, typical living shoreline designs have been largely unsuccessful under high-energy conditions. This project tested a new hybrid method that integrates engineering and ecological approaches. The project’s ”gabion-break” design uses two lines of defense to reduce erosion along the marsh edge - porous wooden breakwalls placed in front of structures that will foster oyster growth. An in-depth study monitored boat wake and wave energy, oyster reef development, and salt marsh edge movement to evaluate the effectiveness of gabion-breaks in protecting and enhancing coastal habitat in areas with high boat traffic. The project team incorporated findings into training activities for restoration practitioners and coastal managers and interpretive exhibits for reserve visitors.

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The datasets for this project have been archived with the NERRS Centralized Data Management Office and will be made publically available in fall 2020 through a request form accessible on this page: nerrssciencecollaborative.org/resource/living-shoreline-data-gtm-reserve Prior to fall 2020, individuals may reach out to the project lead to discuss potential applications and access to the data.

Christine Angelini

University of Florida

c.angelini@ufl.edu

(352) 274-7815

The distributor does not assume liability.

None

Cite this dataset when used as a source: NOAA retains the right to analyze, synthesize and publish summaries of the NERRS/NSC data. The NERRS/NSC retains the right to be fully credited for having collected and process the data. Following academic courtesy standards, the NERR site where the data were collected should be contacted and fully acknowledged in any subsequent publications in which any part of the data are used. The data enclosed within this package/transmission are only as accurate as the quality assurance and quality control procedures that are described in the associated metadata reporting statement allow. The user bears all responsibility for its subsequent use/misuse in any further analyses or comparisons. The Federal government does not assume liability to the Recipient or third persons, nor will the Federal government reimburse or indemnify the Recipient for its liability due to any losses resulting in any way from the use of this data. Requested citation format: NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Science Collaborative(NSC).