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An Individual-Based Modeling Approach To Predict Multiple Stressor Effects on Swamp Productivity and Forest Dynamics in a Coastal Landscape

EPA Grant Number: U915960
Title: An Individual-Based Modeling Approach To Predict Multiple Stressor Effects on Swamp Productivity and Forest Dynamics in a Coastal Landscape
Investigators: Hoeppner, Susanne S.
Institution: Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge
EPA Project Officer: Boddie, Georgette
Project Period: January 1, 2001 through January 1, 2002
Project Amount: $57,586
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (2001)
Research Category: Academic Fellowships , Fellowship - Aquatic Ecology and Ecosystems , Aquatic Ecosystems

Description:

Objective:

The Louisiana coastal zone contains large expanses of swamp forests. The majority of the swamps in the deltaic plain are in various stages of degradation because of cumulative impacts of accelerated relative sea-level rise or alterations in their hydrologic regimes. During the last four decades, many greenhouse studies of seedling responses and field studies of mature swamp forests have added to our understanding of these stressors. This modeling study seeks to synthesize the available knowledge into a process-oriented model of swamp sustainability.

Approach:

The tree species of interest in this coastal landscape include water tupelo and bald cypress as dominant canopy trees and swamp red maple and green ash as midstory vegetation. The model follows the growth, reproduction, and death of individual trees of the dominant species in 1-ha plots. The plots were arranged in a 10 by 10 grid to allow for spatial gradients of the main stressors in the model, which consist of salinity, flooding, and nutrient deprivation. A sound understanding of the individual and cumulative effects of these stressors is of paramount importance to conservation and restoration efforts under consideration in Louisiana.

Supplemental Keywords:

fellowship, swamp, simulation model, sustainability, Louisiana, LA, swamp forest, canopy trees, restoration efforts, conservation efforts.

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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