Enhancing Coastal Resilience through Thin Layer Placement
Critical to saltmarsh restoration is understanding the physical and ecological drivers ofdegradation and fragmentation in saltmarsh ecosystems. Physical and ecologicalprocesses of a broad range of spatiotemporal scales affect the success and effectivenessof potential thin-layer placement EWN solutions. This project will develop and sharewith stakeholders a multiscale monitoring and model framework, an approach which isin high […]
Spatial Prioritization of Freshwater Natural Infrastructure
Natural infrastructure (NI) uses natural processes to support traditional objectives of built infrastructure such as storm water management and securing water supplies for human use. This project aims to accelerate the transition from ad hoc implementation of freshwater NI in the landscape by building spatially explicit NI prioritization tools that will allow stakeholders and decision-makers […]
Engineering for Biodiversity and Ecosystems
There is increasing recognition of the value of biodiversity in maintaining the services essential fora sustainable society and the flows that drive economic activity. However, we run a risk in valuingbiodiversity solely for its utilitarian function in providing services of economic value. To avoidanother decade of failed biodiversity conservation goals, we will need a fundamental […]
The Great Lakes Natural And Nature-Based Features Playbook
Recent high lake levels have exposed the widespread vulnerability of the Great Lakes coastline. Increasingly frequent flooding and erosion cause property damage, endanger lives, and disrupt local economies. Natural and nature-based features (NNBF) are measures and techniques that can be incorporated into shoreline protection to reduce flood risk and improve the resilience of coastal and […]
Promoting Sustainability of Sensitive Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Habitats with Innovative Dredging and Placement Practices
Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) habitats provide a variety of important ecosystem services, including fish habitat, nutrient sequestration, and protection from currents and waves. Some research suggests that open-water sediment placement of dredge material harms SAV habitats in the short-term, while other research suggests long term protective benefits that results in an increased and denser area […]
Identification of Opportunities for Beneficial Use of Dredged Material Within Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway
This project will identify opportunities for beneficial use of dredged material (BUDM) within the GA and SC portions of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW). The project will develop a BUDM site selection tool that could be expanded further to evaluate and identify BUDM opportunities along all of the AIWW or other intracoastal waterways.
River Engineer: The Next Generation – An Engineering With Nature® (EWN®) River Class
This project will develop an EWN® River Class on current best practices and novel ways to design and align waterways. The class will introduce EWN® principles to traditional river engineering design that will re-invigorate potamology, or the study of rivers. Success in training the next generation of river engineers will lead to increased capacity for […]
Evaluation of Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) and Biostabilization on Soil Structure Rehabilitation
Intense wildfires have detrimental effects on soil that can significantly accelerate erosion and lead to sedimentation and flooding downstream of the wildfires. This project will investigate the effectiveness of MICP treatment, which uses microorganisms to improve soil characteristics, to revitalize and strengthen soils subjected to wildfire. The outcomes of this study will inform cost-effective, large-scale […]
Coastal Carbon Capture via Beach Nourishment: Pilot Deployment of Olivine Sands as a Tool for Mitigating Climate Change
This project will track and study the movement of olivine sands placed as part of a beach nourishment project, as well as the carbon capture capability of the olivine sands. Olivine sands have great potential to capture and remove carbon dioxide and could be an innovative tool for addressing both climate change through carbon capture […]
Quantifying Engineering With Nature® (EWN®) Benefits Associated with Large-Scale Levee Setback Projects
This project will develop improved levee setback engineering guidance, standards, and priorities for levee setback projects. The guidance will link specific project features to engineering, ecological, economic, and social benefits, in order to encourage and facilitate implementation of future levee setbacks.
