We have rescheduled Dr. Gittman for December 14th at 12pm Eastern. Watch a recording of the webinar.

Evaluating socio-ecological functions provided by novel, nature-based coastal protection approaches

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Abstract: Shoreline erosion and resulting property damage can occur quickly during a storm event or over decades with sea-level rise and from human activities, including repeated shoreline modifications, dredging, and boating. The need to protect coastal properties and infrastructure against erosion and damage has increased with human populations along coastlines, with traditional, “gray” approaches, such as shoreline hardening, often having negative ecological, geophysical, and socioeconomic impacts on coastal communities and ecosystems. As coastal hazards and exposure to these hazards continue to increase, stakeholders need access to data, information, and expertise that can help them make informed decisions about coastal protection. Here, we evaluate and compare the socio-ecological functions provided by different nature-based (NB) coastal protection designs and approaches. We achieved this goal through execution of large-scale field experiments and monitoring coupled with physical-process modeling. Research findings suggest that differences in substrate type and placement, as well as local physical processes can influence oyster recruitment, habitat use, and coastal protection benefits of novel NB approaches. Our research team is working closely with stakeholders, including the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and the North Carolina Coastal Federation, to translate these findings into guidance for selecting NB designs and substrates that maximize desired socio-ecological benefits.

Biography: Dr. Gittman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and Coastal Studies Institute at East Carolina University. Her research focal areas include marine community ecology, restoration ecology, coastal management and policy, and sustainability science. She received her doctorate in Ecology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2014 and was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Northeastern University from 2015-2017. Before attending graduate school, Dr. Gittman was an environmental consultant in Washington D.C. for three years after graduating from the University of Virginia in 2006 with a B.S. in Environmental Sciences with High Distinction.