The Coastal Current

Episode 5 - Long Term Data

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Rachel Smith about long term data: what it is, why it's important, and how we use it here at the Virginia Coast Reserve. Learn about the Long Term Ecological Research Network, ecological disturbance, and about geoducks! Rachel walks us through the value of long term measurements, her own research process in her study of mangroves, and her run ins with pods of manatees. Check out Rachel's website here [https://rachelssmith.weebly.com/] to learn more about her work.

Episode 4 - Salt Marsh Plants: Adapting to Changing Coastlines

In this episode, we interview Ezra Kottler, a PhD student at George Washington University who studies how plants in salt marshes are adapting to changing coastal conditions such as sea level rise. Learn about salt marshes and the benefits they provide to coastal communities, and about the struggles of setting up an experimental design during the COVID-19 pandemic. Spoiler alert: bored raccoons = bad news for researchers! You can learn more about Ezra's work at their website https://ezrakottler.wixsite.com/plantsci [https://ezrakottler.wixsite.com/plantsci].

Episode 3 - Coastal Heatwaves

I'm sure you've experienced a heatwave at some point in your life - days and days of unusually hot weather that seems like it will never end. Well, it turns out coastal ecosystems experience heatwaves too! Tune in to this week's episode to learn about heatwaves from Spencer Tassone, a PhD student at the University of Virginia. He'll talk about how coastal environments experience heatwaves, ecosystem resilience, and also about other stressors that coastal organisms face. To learn more about Spencer and his work, visit his website [https://sites.google.com/virginia.edu/stassone-ecology/home]!

Episode 2 - Ghost Forests: The Sentinels of Rising Water

In this episode, we learn about ghost forests. Now you might be thinking, what do haunted woods have to do with coastal science? Actually, ghost forests are not haunted woods at all, but coastal forests that have died due to rising sea levels. Find out more about these spectres of the coast in our interview with Dr. Elliott White, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Virginia. Learn about ghost forests, how artists help scientists make observations, and about why you should avoid being hit in the face with an Atlantic Sturgeon. Check out Elliot's website here [https://eewhite504.wixsite.com/swampmanelliott] to learn more about his work!

Episode 1 - Oyster Reefs and Coastal Protection

In this episode, we learn about oyster reefs and their role in protecting coastlines from retreat. Have you ever wondered how oyster reef restoration works? Or how reefs interact with nearby salt marshes? We talked to Sara Hogan, a graduate student at the University of Virginia, who uses innovative remote sensing techniques to map reefs and inform restoration efforts. Learn about the connections between salt marshes, oysters, lasers, and legos (!?) in our interview with Sara!