"ADVANCING REGIONAL LIVING SHORELINE KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER"
ELLA DIPETTO

Abstract

Living shorelines, novel solutions for shoreline protection, are becoming a popular alternative to traditional shoreline armoring. These nature-based techniques balance ecological considerations, like oyster substrate or fish habitat, with social considerations, such as shoreline erosion. Despite increasing regulatory support for living shorelines, there remains key gaps in our understanding of the biological, physical, and societal factors that influence project success. My graduate research at Old Dominion University addresses the socioecological benefits and challenges of living shoreline projects. In this presentation, I will provide an overview of ongoing research relating to habitat benefits and shoreline protection services that living shorelines provide. I will also highlight a project supported by Virginia Sea Grant, which aims to integrate local practitioner knowledge within a regional conservation framework. Recognizing the need for inclusive and accessible avenues to disseminate lessons learned, this project will be critical for improving design and implementation of living shorelines in coastal Virginia and beyond.

Ella is a third year PhD Candidate in Dr. Eric L. Walters’ Avian Ecology lab at ODU, having received her bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Conservation from Virginia Tech in 2018. She then was involved in a variety of projects encompassing avian research, coastal restoration, and environmental education. Her graduate research is focused on nature-based shoreline solutions, particularly along developed coastlines and residential properties. Ella is interested in both ecological and social considerations of living shorelines and works to better understand the valuable ecosystem services that living shorelines provide.

"STAKEHOLDERS FROM MULTIPLE SECTORS VIEWS AND POLICY APPROACHES TO MARINE DEBRIS REMOVAL:
A QUALITATIVE CASE STUDY OF VIRGINIA'S ELIZABETH RIVER"
ROBIN DUNBAR

Abstract

Marine debris is a wicked problem and there is a call for action for stakeholders from across multiple sectors to address this issue in Virginia. Marine debris can have negative impacts on navigation, aquatic life, recreation, and economies. Research is rapidly growing on ocean debris, but so far, it is limited regarding river debris. River systems function as pathways to the sea for the transport of plastic pollution that can be detrimental due to animal ingestion, entanglement, and accumulation. Views and policies about marine debris removal are unknown among stakeholders of Virginia’s Elizabeth River, home to the world’s largest naval base and a world-class port. The Elizabeth River was previously identified as one of three most toxic tributaries in the Chesapeake Bay, and it has the highest sea level rise on the east coast of the United States (U.S.EPA, 2022b; VIMS, 2022). During flood episodes and waves generated by ships, macro plastics (> 25mm) can remobilize and travel from the river to the bay and to the ocean. To gain a deep understanding of the complexity of the Elizabeth River’s marine debris problem, a qualitative case study was implemented and included in-depth interviews and a content analysis. This research contributed to the literature on Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) illustrating the value of qualitative studies in the policy process and how stakeholders from multiple sectors use narratives to tell the story of marine debris in the Elizabeth River. Thirty-one stakeholders from nine sectors participated; the stakeholders included representatives from the government, public, private, non-profit, military, resident, academic, volunteer and fisher sectors. This study answered: 1.) What are the views of stakeholders from multiple sectors on the marine debris problems at the mouth of the Elizabeth River? 2.) Which stakeholders are considered in addressing marine debris issues? and 3.) What is the match between the views of stakeholders’ and policies to address marine debris?

Robin Dunbar is an Old Dominion University PhD candidate in the Strome College of Business in Public Administration and Policy and is studying environmental policy and watershed management with a focus on marine debris (litter) in industrial ports and rivers. In addition, for 23 years, she has worked for the nonprofit Elizabeth River Project as the Deputy Director of Education and created and led award-winning environmental education programs to inspire youth to help restore one of the most polluted rivers of the Chesapeake Bay. Her education platforms include the water based, 120’ x 32’ Dominion Energy Learning Barge that is powered by the wind and sun, known as America’s Greenest Vessel, and that was designed in partnership with the University of Virginia School of Architects. Her land-based platform includes the 40-acre Paradise Creek Nature Park that includes an ADA-accessible kayak launch, a maritime forest, a River Academy, and a natural playground that she designed. She has managed over 2.7 million dollars in grants and dozens of awards, including from the White House and the National Science Foundation, the 2019 Presidential Award for Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Mentoring, and she was recognized as a Local Legacy in 2000 during the Bicentennial of the Library of Congress, by the late Congressman N. Sisisky. In addition, she is a certified National Geographic educator, trained to implement team science with the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and served as an Earth Watch scientist in an expedition in the Andorran Pyrenees Mountains in France.

"ASSESSING CARBON STORAGE IN THE LOWER CHESAPEAKE BAY SALT MARSHES: A SEASCAPE ECOLOGY PERSPECTIVE"
ZLATKA REBOLLEDO SÁNCHEZ

Abstract

Carbon estimates in coastal ecosystems often rely on location, regional, or national averages without considering spatial variability. This study used seascape ecology to understand carbon storage in salt marshes of the lower Chesapeake Bay. Our results indicate shape and size as predictors. Small and medium-sized marsh patches are more susceptible to edge effects, resulting in less carbon storage because the edges within the patches contain less. We observed spatial heterogeneity at various spatial scales, implying differences across sites, between and within patches. Our study emphasizes the need for a finer spatially explicit approach to estimating carbon in marshes, improving management and conservation strategies.

Zlatka Rebolledo Sánchez is a biologist from Simón Bolívar University in Caracas, Venezuela. She is currently an Ecological Sciences PhD student at Old Dominion University and a member of the Coastal Plant and Ecotone Ecology Lab, studying marine and coastal ecosystems with a spatial ecology perspective. Zlatka is a Virginia Sea Grant 2023-2025 Graduate Research Fellow, a Rising TIDES Scholar of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation, and the winner of the ODU SEES Mentoring Leader Award 2023.

CCPO Innovation Research Park Building I 4111 Monarch Way, 3rd Floor Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA 23508 757-683-4940