Estuaries are
semi-enclosed bodies of water where freshwater mixes with seawater and are
critical ecological areas because of their biological productivity and valuable
habitat. Estuarine behavior is
influenced by its morphology and exchange of water, sediments and solutes. Shoreline change and seabed sedimentation
are important processes influencing estuaries.
Also, human activities on land and in the sea have impacted the form and
function of these systems. Our research
is aimed at quantifying and understanding estuarine system dynamics,
particularly the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System.
Cowart, L., D.R. Corbett, J.P. Walsh, 2011. Shoreline Change along Sheltered Coastlines: Insights from the Neuse River Estuary, NC. Remote Sensing, 3, 1516-1534.
Kirwan, M., A.B. Murray, J.P. Donnelly, D.R. Corbett, 2011 Rapid wetland expansion during European settlement and its implication for marsh survival under modern sediment delivery rates. Geology, 39(5) 507-510.
Cowart, L., Walsh, J.P. and D.R. Corbett. 2010. Analyzing Estuarine Shoreline Change: A Case Study of Cedar Island, NC. Journal of Coastal Research, 6(5): 817-830.
Featured
research: Mapping and measuring estuarine shoreline change
The
Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System is the second largest estuarine in the
U.S. It is home to many critical
habitats, making these areas invaluable environmentally and economically (e.g.,
for commercial fishing and tourism). With coastal development, regular storms and
accelerating sea-level rise, estuaries are expected to be altered over time,
but the nature of changes requires better understanding. Our research occurs above, below and at the
water surface. For example, we have
worked extensively in collaboration with the NC Division of Coastal Management
to map out the shoreline digitally (with high-end computer software, called
Geographic Information Systems or GIS).
But, we also go into the field (and water) to collect cores and or take
measurements as seen above.
