VIMS

Coastal Systems Ecology and Modeling Program

Currently Funded Projects

  • Enhanced assessment and modeling of nitrogen removal associated with restored oyster reefs in Harris Creek, MD. The Nature Conservancy and Oyster Recovery Partnership, 2015-2017. PIs: Kellogg, M.L., J.C. Cornwell, and M.J. Brush. 

  • Coupled ecosystem modeling of the NRE for research, synthesis, and management. Defense Coastal / Estuarine Research Program, funded by DoD's Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, 2012-2017. PI: M.J. Brush.

  • Climatic drivers regulating benthic – pelagic carbon and associated nutrient exchanges in the New River Estuary. Defense Coastal / Estuarine Research Program, funded by DoD's Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, 2012-2017. PIs: I.C. Anderson, M.J. Brush, C.R. Tobias, B. McKee, and S. Ensign.

  • Collaborative research: microbial regulation of greenhouse gas N2O emission from intertidal oyster reefs. NSF National Science Foundation, 2012-2017. PIs: B. Song, C.R. Tobias, M.F. Piehler, and M.J. Brush.

  • Observations and modeling of Narragansett Bay hypoxia and its response to nutrient management. NOAA Coastal Hypoxia Research Program, 2011-2016. PIs: D.L. Codiga, C. Kincaid, S. Nixon, S. Granger, C. Oviatt, H. Stoffel, D. Ullman, S. Kiernan, C. Deacutis, W. Prell, J. Vaudrey, J. Kremer, and M. Brush.

Current & Past Student Projects

  • Shanna Williamson, M.S. student, project TBD

  • Sara Blachman, M.S. student, "A model of the phytoplankton community assemblage in the New River Estuary and a heuristic simulation of climate and land-use changes"

  • Britt Dean, M.S. student, "Modulation of watershed nutrient loads by tidal creek ecosystems on the Virginia Eastern Shore"

  • Emily Skeehan, M.S. 2015, "Assessing the impact of climate change on proposed restoration of the Lynnhaven ecosystem"

  • Michael Kuschner, M.S. 2015, "Modeling the effect of shellfish aquaculture and restoration on system-level processes within Mid-Atlantic estuaries"

  • Sam Lake, Ph.D. 2013, "Modeling the formation of periodic hypoxia in partially mixed estuaries and its response to oligotrophication and climate change"

  • Brittani Koroknay, M.S. 2012, "Quantifying watershed loads to a low relief, coastal plain estuary:  the New River Estuary, N.C."

  • Lance Gardner, Ph.D. 2012, "Positive and negative feedbacks within Zostera marina beds within the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia"

  • Heather Wiseman, M.S. 2010, "Quantifying the ecosystem role of a suspension and a facultative deposit feeding bivalve in the New River Estuary, NC, with responses to changes in nutrient and sediment inputs"

  • Juliette Giordano, M.S. 2009, "Nutrient loading and system response in the coastal lagoons of the Delmarva Peninsula".  A report based on Chapter 1 of this thesis was used to inform the Accomack County (VA) 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update and can be found here

Questions?

Contact Dr. Mark J. Brush
Coastal Systems Ecology and Modeling Program/ VIMS
PO Box 1346, Gloucester Point, VA  23062-1346, USA
Telephone:  804-684-7402; FAX:  804-684-7293
 

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