CE/NR797:
Final Project Ideas
[Prepared
by R. Fortner for NSF¡¦s Digital and
Field Techniques for Coastal Environment Studies, 7/02]
Port
of Toledo
Water
level issues (dredging needs, dock protection), ice issues, shipping
economics, recreation competition, exotic species considerations.
Beach
erosion/shore protection
East Harbor State Park
maintenance of shore areas for fishing, swimming, wetland protection
(multiple use management). Alternatively, examine the factors that affect
beach development and retention in a given area. ¡§Where¡¦s the beach?¡¨
Wetland
management
Rate of depth change
offshore, water level relationships, seed banks, values of wetland plants
for wildlife, wildlife visitation (migratory bird records, etc), methods of
wetland management, protection issues
Purple
Loosestrife
Invasion and spread of this ¡§beautiful killer.¡¨ Conditions for its
growth, mechanisms of dispersal, impacts, control methods in progress, with
implications for future biodiversity issues.
Benthos issues, benthic environment
Oxygen in sediments, ZM distribution in relation to depth & temp,
sediments, toxic load, resuspension by disturbances
Runoff/nonpoint
pollution
Relationship to
land uses and topography, measures of chemical input from this source, storm
events, water quality control measures, measures of suspended sediment
and/or chlorophyll concentration
Eutrophication
Local or short-term anoxic
regions, physical and biological factors, algae concentrations and DO
impacts; predictions based on currents and nutrient input from point and
nonpoint sources.
Species
interactions
Interactions related to
nest sites / breeding areas (fish or birds), benthic characteristics related
to plant assemblages, spatial distribution of nests, etc. (ROV data or
birdwatching)
Global climate
change
Scenarios and impact demonstrations for various sectors: forests, fish
habitat, wetlands, water balance, water levels, eutrophication, storm
intensity and frequency, etc.
Shipwreck
position prediction
Bathymetry, currents, historical information to lead to searchable sites
(how to incorporate biology?), prediction of debris trails for present-day
wrecks, forensic applications
Recreation
management
For a given area, examine the current land uses, physical and biological
environment, population pressures, policy decisions being made, impacts of
proposed development, etc.