Marsh restoration Dauphin Island, Alabama

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

AL NA170-20-498
1992

MARSH RESTORATION
Dauphin Island
Sea Lab
Dauphin Island, AL.

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A Cooperative Project of:

Coastal Programs, Alabama Department of
Economic & Community Affairs

Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium

Office of Ocean & Coastal Resources Management,
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

MARSH RESTORATION: DAUPHIN ISLAND, ALABAMA

A COOPERATIVE PROJECT OF:

COASTAL PROGRAMS, ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC &
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSORTIUM

OFFICE OF OCEAN & COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT,
NATIONAL OCEANIC & ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

US Department of Commerce
NOAA Coastal Center Library
2234 Avenue

Charleston, SC 29405-2413

Financial assistance for this report provided
in part by the Coastal Zone Management Act
of 1972, as amended, administered by the
Office of Ocean & Coastal Resources
Management, National Oceanic & Atmospheric
Administration.

FINAL REPORT
MARSH RESTORATIONS: DAUPHIN ISLAND, ALABAMA

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has estimated that 30-40%
of the original wetlands in the United States have been lost and
that destruction continues at 300-400,000 acres per year (Tiner,
1984). Roach et al. (1987) documented a 35% loss of Alabama salt
and brackish marshes in the 25 year period, 1955 to 1979. Growing
concerns for maintenance of these critical natural resources have
produced a national policy of "No net loss of wetlands."
Approaches to meet this goal include wetlands preservation
accompanied by restoration of degraded wetlands and creation of new
wetlands. In a recent U.S. EPA report on the status and needs of
wetland creation and restoration (Kusler and Kentula 1989),
conclusions included:

1. Restoration should be favored over creation.

2. Restoration/creation efforts should be designed to be
self-sustaining systems and "persistent" features in the
landscape.

3. The greatest potential for filling gaps in scientific
knowledge lie in careful monitoring of selected projects.

4. Standardized methods for project evaluation and project
monitoring are needed to facilitate determination of
"success" and comparisons between systems.

5. Wetland demonstration projects offer the greatest
"control" and have the greatest potential for answering
research questions and providing the know-how for
restoration of systems already degraded as well as for
reducing future impacts.

The Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium (MESC) operates
the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) as the key facility for marine
education and research in Alabama. A primary focus. of the Sea Lab
research program has been to address environmental questions of
local and regional significance. of particular importance to the
economy of Alabama coastal communities have been projects related
to commercially important species, their life history requirements,
habitat losses, management needs, and coastal water quality.

The Sea Lab occupies U.S. surplus property previously utilized
for over 100 years for various military facilities, most recently
as an Air Force radar base. Island wetland and dune habitats have
been altered by various modifications to the site over the years.
MESC philosophy has been to minimize any further habitat
alterations and to enhance and restore on-site habitats where
possible and use these efforts as environmental education for
students and the public. A ten-year effort on the south Gulf beach

has resulted in significant recovery of beach vegetation and the
coastal slash pine forest. Continuing in this philosophy, MESC is
implementing a multi-phased project to provide both indoor and
outdoor exhibitry and exposure to native habitats for a combination
of formal educational activities and self-guided public
participation. In FY 1991-92, MESC initiated Phase I involving
site preparation and restoration of altered habitats (wetlands and
dunes) on-site.

APPROACH

MESC is restoring approximately 1.5 acres of the north side of
the Sea Lab, along the Mobile Bay shoreline to its original
wetlands function (see Figure 1) . Sand fill placed by the military
has been removed to establish intertidal elevations and tidal
hydrology. The site includes topography suitable for open water
tidal creeks and vegetated wetland (Figure 2). Wetland plants will
be transplanted to create cover of approximately 40% Juncus
roemerianus and 60% Spartina alterniflora. This work is being
accomplished with state funds, a grant from the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, and with engineering and design assistance from
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District.

The restoration site will be used as a demonstration of sound
restoration practices and effective evaluation tools. Access by
elevated boardwalks and overlooks will allow visitors to monitor
all aspects of the habitat and its inhabitants as well as view
scientists "in the field" doing applied research. A series of
static outdoor exhibits (Phase I) will interpret both the
philosophy of wetlands restoration and creation as well as the
value and functions of wetlands in general. Real-time data will be
displayed from in-situ instruments. Displays documenting the
wetland as it historically appeared, as it was altered, under
restoration and as it recovers will be updated frequently with
photos, and field data in visitor-friendly formats. Displays will
acknowledge the contributions of participating agencies.

Subsequent phases of the MESC project include an indoor-
interpretive center with aquaria, touch tables, static exhibits and
visitor research demonstrations. The habitat restoration research
will be further interpreted by allowing center visitors to view
actual processing of field samples in a laboratory setting and to
discuss the analysis of the progress of wetland recovery with
technicians and scientists.

A program of functional assessment and management for
restoration success will be implemented to include plant growth,
primary production, nekton utilization, nursery species
recruitment, avian use, sediment dynamics and hydrology. The
restored marsh will be compared to an adjacent reference marsh.
Data will be collected using Breder traps (Breder 1960) and weirs
(Kneib 1991) for nekton and nursery species and litter bags for
benthic recruitment (Rutherford 1989). Planting success and

primary production will be assessed through survival, cover and
standing biomass estimates. Bird utilization will be determined by
timed censusing. Soil characteristics including particle size and
percent organics will be monitored as the ecosystem develops. A
sediment-erosion table will be installed to assess the rate of
sedimentation (Day and Boumans 1991), and the relative contribution
of allocthonous v. autochthonous materials will be compared between
the restored and reference marshes. Functional data from the
restored marsh will be compared to a similar natural "reference"
marsh to assess the extent of success and evaluate development of
the restored marsh.

Weirs and sediment-erosion tables will be installed during
wetlands construction to minimize impact. Data collection will
begin as soon as plant installation is complete and tidal
inundation has been restored.

PROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS UNDER
ADECA PAD-MESC-CAM-92-012

Stipend support was provided for two graduate research
assistants to provide technical support for implementation of the
Phase I marsh restoration. During the period April 1, 1992 through
September 30, 1992, assistance was provided to project design,
plant resource protection, and fabrication of monitoring equipment.

The natural reference marsh was utilized to obtain design
criteria related to elevations, plant composition, and
physiographic features for the restoration marsh. Assistants
worked closely with the Mobile District Corps of Engineers through
the design phase and subsequently with the contractor during site
preparation.

As the site was excavated, existing key wetland and dune
plants were removed to a storage nursery for replanting and seed
stocks were harvested. Seeds are being maintained in the
laboratory for spring 1993 planting.

In preparation for the monitoring effort to follow completion
of the restoration effort, assistants acquired materials and
constructed four field collection weirs (Kneib 1991), 12 Breeder
traps (Breeder 1960), and sampling boardwalks.
Completion of site PROJECT STATUS
.preparation and restoration was delayed due
to the discovery of a Civil War headstone within the site boundary.
Work was halted while a complete Cultural Resources survey was
completed.

Dedication of the "Living Marsh" was held October 10, 1992,
and Phase I is expected to be completed in early February 1993

(weather permitting). (See enclosed news clippings and
announcements.)

SIGNIFICANCE

The restoration and monitoring effort has multiple significant
science, demonstration, and education components.

- restoration of a former wetland

- concurrent success evaluation

- development of valid but efficient evaluative methods for
application in broader restoration efforts

- utilization, as demonstration, of sound design criteria
for industry and resource managers

- enhanced public awareness

- access and interpretation during all phases for the
public, educational groups, regulators, planners, and
developers

- real-time observation of wetlands function and scientific
approach by visitor groups

Implementation of wetland restoration at the Sea Lab site
(Phase I) offers an ideal opportunity for the development and
testing of not only restoration methods but also for assessing
various tools to evaluate the functional success of a restored
wetland. The location of the restoration site on the campus of a
research laboratory provides for more frequent and more intensive
observation and data acquisition than is usually possible. Nearby
(ca. 1000 m) natural Juncus marshes will serve as reference data
sources for comparison with functional development of the restored
marsh.

References Cited

Breder, C. M. 1960. Design for a fry trap. Zoologica 45:155-160.

Day, J. and R. Boumans. 199 1. The use of sediment fences for wetland creation and
restoration in Louisiana. Poster presented at I I th Intl. Estuarine Res. Conf., San
Francisco, CA, November 10-14, 1991.

Kneib, R. T. 1991. Flume weir for quantitative collection of nekton from vegetated intertidal
habitats. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 75:29-38.

Kusler, J. A. and M. E. Kentula (Eds.) 1989. Wetland creation and restoration: the status of
the science. U. S. EPA/600/3-89/038.

Roach, E. r., M. C. Watzin, J. D. Scurry and J. B. Johnson. 1987. Wetland changes in
coastal Alabama. pp. 92-101, IN: T. A. Lowery (Ed.), Symposium on the natural
resources of the Mobile Bay estuary. Miss.-Ala. Sea Grant Publ. MASG P-87-007.

Rutherford, S. 1989. Detritus production and epibenthic communities of natural versus salt
marshes. M.S. Thesis, San Diego State Univ., San Diego, CA 79 p.

Tiner, R. W., Jr. 1984. Wetlands of the United States: Current status and recent trends. U.
S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Nad. Wetland Inventory. Washington, D.C.

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New Estuarium
will be showcase
of state water life

By Justin Fox Grand Bay, has steered $1 million In
News staff writer state money to the project.
The federal Environmental Pro-
tection Agency and Fish and Wild-
life Service together are chipping in
CAUPHIN ISLAND - George
Crozier has made a name for him- $100,000 to dredge and replant the
self over the years as a defender of marsh, which was filled in decades
Alabama's beaches- and scourge ago.
of those who build houses on them or The Estuarium's architects in-
drive on the dunes. clude some of the designers of the
So what is the Dauphin Island Sea Aquarium of the Americas In New
Lab director doing promoting a $4 Orleans. But the Estuarium will be
million waterfront aquarium and ed- on a much smaller scale than the
ucational center that could bring New Orleans aquarium and the new
150,000 tourists to this tiny island Tennessee Aquarium In Chatta-
every year? nooga. It will feature only fish and
"I'm gambling," Crozier said. plants from the Mobile-Tensaw
"We're going to bring them down Delta, Mobile Bay and nearby areas
here, but I think they're going to of the Gulf of Mexico.
leave reasonably well educated and
appreciative of the problems" of the "All this stuff comes from Ala-
coast. hams," Crozier said last week as he
Work is about to start on the first showed a visitor a sea-lab tank hous-
phase of the "Estuarium" - a man- ing, among other things, a decorator
made marsh with a boardwalk from crab, a mantis shrimp and an angler
which visitors can see how wetlands fish - which catches its prey with a
work. lure that protruds from the middle
After that, if the money flows as of its head.
Crozier hopes, construction will "Nobody believes me, but it all
start on a building that will house comes from Alabama.
aquariums and exhibits. The goal of the Estuarium, Cro-
"I'm worried about the economy," zier said, is to educate visitors about
Crozier said. "It's not going to be the richness of area marine life -
easy to raise $3 million from the and about threats to it such as pol-
feds and the private sector." lution and wetlands destruction. The
So far, most of the Estuarium's exhibits will be structured large
money has come from the state of Dauphin Island Sea Lab Director George Crozier points out
Alabama. The local state represen- for children, who already come to
tative, House Ways and Means Com- the sea lab by the thousands every where marsh exhibit will be at new Estuarium.
mitttee Chairman Taylor Harper, D- See Estuarium, Page 18A

Estuarium

From page 17a
land and left a former Holiday Inn on many aquariums around that the "I think the Estuarium is going to
year on school firld trips. the island a sand-swept shell. idea is, I wouldn't say worn out, but be very unique.
The sea lab, which is run by 21 The Estuarium will be near Fort
Alabama public and private colleges Gaines on the bay side of the east end
and funded by the state, has beeen on of the island, on land that is about 10
the island since 1971. feet abouve sea leve. Crozier said the
"We've got the tanks; I've got the sea-lab buildings, hand-me-downs
personnel," Crozier said. "We just from an old air base that were built
need a place to put it." to withstand nuclear attack, weath-
George Benz, curator of fishes at ered Hurricane Frederic in 1979 and
the new Tennessee Aquarium in Hurricane Elena in 1985 without
Chattanooga, visited Dauphin Island much damage.
earlier this month and said the Estu- The air base's concrete-and-steel
arium is a wonderful idea. radar tower will be part of the Estr-
"They already have got quite a fa- arium, and the rest of the building is
cility down there," he said. "It's in a designed with rough weather in
terrific location. I think their big- mind, said Eean NcNanghton of New
est problem is how to accommodate Orleans, one of the architects. Most
all the people who will want to go of the windows will have metal cur-
there." tains that can be pulled down in case
The Estuarium will be built at the of a hurricane warning.
sea lab, incorporating one existing Crozier said be happy the Estua-
building. Crozier plans to build a new rium will draw local residents,
parking lot, but hopes many of the beachgoers and people passing
visitors come on foot on the ferry through South Alabama on inter-
from Fort MOrgan-which is near states 10 and 65. The sea lab already
the tourist hotels and condominiums has and this summer
of Gulf Shores. made an educational camp for
Another worry is hurricanes, younger Crozier hopes it will
which in the past, have destroyed become a sort of seaside equivalent.
homes on the west end of Dauphin Is- of Huntsvilles Space Camp.
Saind Mcnaughton "There are so

tj@TS. SOUTH WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992

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EAM wwwww
U.S.'Rep. So n, left, jolnettaii R*:Taj1oi Harper,' dgfit;'.andUi@elsoer of Z@119, in
dedicating the first"phase of the Estuarlum.at the Dauphin Island Sea Lob Saturdai'.-The Lhilng'Marsh
was dedicated In memory of Mrs. Ladnee3 daughter, Both, a former student at-the see'Laii who was
killed In a car accident In 1991.'

LIVING MARSH DEDICATED AT DAUPHIN ISLAND
By Earl Sweatt
Staff Reporter Visitors to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab get a close look at one of the aquariums there Saturday.

DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala.-There the marsh. work toghether." he added. $3.5 million, Crozier said, of which
were no complaints of "pork bar- The young girl had first come to Crozier estimated the marsh approximately $1 million already
rel" porjects Saturday at the Dau- the Sea Lab program as part of a section will cost approximately has been raised. Another $2.5 mil-
phin Island Sea Lab as the new field trip from Monte Sano Elemen- $175,000 and should be completed lion alson will be needed to com-
Living Marsh segment of the pro- tary School, Huntsville. She stayed in about two months. plete the rest of the program. An
posed &3.5 million Estuarium was in the program in high school. "It will take about threee years for additional $1.5 million will be
dedicated. After her death, a scholarship the marsh to actually grow to what needed for a restoration project of
U.S. Rep. Sonny Callahan, R-Mo- was established in her memory for it was originally," he said. "The other buildings at the Sea lab.
bite, along with state Rep, Taylor a student from Huntsville High to tours will be self-guiding with signs "The $5 million total includes
harper, D-Grand Bay, and state attend the summer program at explaining each section." the entire capital development
Sen. Steve Windom, D-Mobile, Dauphin Island. The site will be the entry to the plans for the Sea Lab," Crozier
joined Dr. George Crozier, execu- Callahan said some of the money aquarium and museum area and said. He added that some of the
tive director of the Sea Lab, in for the project will be coming from will offer an interpretive nature funding had been raised through
dedicating the first phase of the funds appropriated for the Gulf of trail through the salt marsh. The the Environmental Protection
project. Mexico Project, a $30 million pro- natural history of the marsh, as Agency and the U.S. Fish and
Windom, in addressing guests as gram signed by President Bush. well as the mechanisms of recov- Wildlife Service as part of the "Year
they stood in the sand and sand The funds will be divided by the ery, will be presented on story of the Gulf" celebration.
spills across from the Sea Lab states bordering the Gulf of Mexi- boards along the 500 to 600 feet of The Estuarium/Aquarium is ex-
officers, said, "For those of you who co, Callahan said. "This project is a elevated boardwalk. pected to bring tourist dollars to
have complained about port bar- classic example of how federal, The total Estuarium/Aquarium the area and also will be beneficial
ral projects, or don't like them, you state, and city governments can project will cost approximately to the programs at the Sea Lab.
are standing in the middle of one
right now."
Windom said it was appropriate
that Callahan and harper attended
the dedication since it was through
their efforts that the project was
begun and will become a reality.
"The next project is gettin the
beach erosion solve." he added.
Crozier said the dedication coin-
cided with the Year of the Gulf and
the 500th anniversary of the Gulf of
Mexico. He said Taylor was re-
sponsible for getting $500,000 in
state funds to begin the project.
Taylor Harper has been a long-
time supporter of our operation on
Dauphin Island, and we know he is
going to assist us even more in the
future." Crozier said.
The Living Marsh was dedicated
in the name of a former student at
the Sea Lab, Beth Ladner of Hunts-
ville who was killed in a car
accident in 1991. Her parents were
on hand for the dedication.
A permanent plaque will be
placed at the entrance of the
boardwalk leading into and around

The first phase of project could be completed as early as October
By Earl Sweatt
Press Register Reporter
Dauphin Island, Ala.-Construction should begin soon on the first phase of the $3 million Estuarium on Dauphin Island.
Dr. George Crozier, director of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and coordinator of the planned coastal waters center, said the marsh section of the project will be the first segment constructed.
"We are shooting for an opening in October, just for the marsh section, to coincide with the 500th anniversary of Columbus's discovery of the Gulf of Mexico," Crozier said.
Estuarium, according to Crozier, is Latin for estuary, and will be built around a Mobile Bay theme. Once the entire project is completed, officials estimate, it will attract 150,000 visitors a year to Dauphin Island.
"We have already received $1 million from the state, thanks to the efforts of (state Rep.) Taylor Harper and the Legislature, and we will be going to the public and private sector for the remainder of the funds," Crozier said.
The estuarium will be a segment of the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and will basically be an educational facility.
Crozier said the faciity will introduce the basic principles of the ecology of the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, the Mobile Bay estuarine system, the barrier islands, and the offshore regions to the edge of the continental shelf.
"It will serve as a window into the activities of the lab and its researchers fot the general public, and as a hands-on facility and local activity for the students annually utilizing the sea lab facilities."
The estuarium will be located on the north side of Bienville Boulevard across from the sea lab Crozier said an outdoor aquatic and raised boardwalk will be created amid fresh and saltwaterponds Sand dunes will form a trail through a natural setting leading to the entrance of the estuarium.
Dr. Judy Stout, marsh ecologist, will be in charge of designing the marsh phase of the project.
Crozier, standing where the marsh will begin, pointing toward a small sand dune, said the marsh once covered that area which will be re-developed. We will re-create what was once here 40 years ago, before the Federal Cut was made through the marsh he said.
One of the wetlands issues, he added, was whether or not wetlands could be restored. "They can be restored, but to what degree is unknown. Through this project we will be able to record the progress of how the wetlands can be returned to what it wa spreviously," Crozier said.
Stout is currently doing research on restoring the marsh and how quickly it recovers and becomes a breeding ground for marine life.
"We will be able to track the progress, follow it with photographs, and be able to show the public this is what it looked like in 1992, and here it is six months, a year, two years, later," he said.
As tourists and students walk the boardwalk, they will be able to see the progress.
The effort is to develop a presentation of interactive exhibits combined with live animal capability which does not currently exist in many places in the country.
The architects, the same ones who also built the Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans, were reportedly happy that the exhibit was dedicated to education first, tourism second.
Crozier said a market study indicated a strong parallel with the Space Camp in Huntsville. Interest is running high in the northern part of the stae to promote Huntsville, Gulf Shores and Dauphin Island's Estuarium as a family package vacation.
"They are looking at a half million people," Crozier said of the Huntsville plan.
Plans call for the interior of the Estuarium will focus on the ecology of Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Secondary subject matter will be the environmental issues. "We will be showing both sides of the enviromental issues," he said. "It will show the harm clear cuttin gdoes to the environment and how Scott's (Paper Co.) helicopter logging operation can benefit the environment."
Each area of the exhibitry will be portrayed with live animal exhibits of key species. The exhibits will include a video presentation showing an overview of Alabama's ecology from the Delta to the Gulf.
Individual displays will include the Delta, Mobile Bay, the barrier islands, the Gulf of Mexico, a touch lab where visitors will be able to touch and handle some marine life, and other displays of marine life.
The touch lab will be housed in a former radar tower. "We will have marine life where the people can actually handle them, and we will show how the food is prepared where the marine life is cared and treated," Crozier said.
The entire procedure, from boardwalk over the marsh lan the displays and aquariums, showcase the region, show coastal Alabama resources.
Crozier said they have the Pl the land, some of the facilities, about a third of the funds complete the project. "We have been given a $100,000 Coastal America, a federal prooperated, by the EPA, Fish Wildlife and the Corps of neers," he said.
Those funds will be used to construct the marsh site

"This coast, However, is disappearing
so rapidly that the measures needed to
save it are almost at the limits of
technology, to say nothing of economics
and political will.
And, as with almost all coastal re-
sources, when it is gone, it is gone for-
ever."

-Oliver A. Houck

You are Cordially invited to attend an
OPEN HOUSE
and Ground Breaking for
"THE LIVING MARSH"

the first phase exhibit of the
Dauphin Island Sea Lab's Estuarium
Dedicated to the memory of
Beth Ladner
and the thousands of acres of tidal wetlands
lost from the Gulf Coast over the last century.

Groundbreaking ceremony - 11:00

Saturday, October 10th 10:00 am Family & Friends Welcome

Activity Summary: April 1, 1992 - September 30, 1992
Marsh Restoration Project (ADECA No. PED-MESC-CZM-92-012)
By: Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium (J. Stout)

Stipend support was provided for two graduate research
assistants to provide technical support -for implementation of a
marsh restoration project on Dauphin Island, AL. The completed
project will be a portion of an outdoor public educational program
on coastal habitats and ecology. In preparation for designing,
installing, and monitoring the functional evolution of the restored
2.5 acre salt marsh, graduate assistants performed the following
tasks.
1. Survey of natural reference marsh to provide
specifications for restoration design.

2. Consulted with architects and engineers during design
phase.

3. Located, monitored for maturity, harvested, and
maintained seed collections of Spartina alterniflora and
Uniola paniculata for,planting in the restored marsh.

4. Salvaged and maintained in a nursery, plants subject to
destruction during site preparation.

5. Acquisition of supplies and equipment and fabrication of
sampling gear and field collection weirs.

6. Coordination of site preparation with contractor.

QUARTERLY REPORT: OCTOBER 1, 1992 - DECEMBER 31, 1992
AGS Subcontract No. 93CO35304
By: Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium, Dr. Judy Stout

A graduate research assistant was hired to assist with the
project. During the reporting period, sta:ff have compiled locally
available documents, maps, data bases and other materials related
to the tasks within the scope of work. A task-specific data base
of documents has been initiated.

"The Living Marsh"
Ground Breaking Ceremony
11:00 a.m.
Dedicated to the mrmoey of Beth Ladner and the thousands of acres of tidal wetlands lost from the gulf coast over the last century.
Beth Ladner
Beth ladner was one of those students that change teachers lives. She first came to programs at the Sea Lab as part of a field trip from Monie Sano Elementary School in Huntsville. She continued her involvement through the Discovery Hall Program, both in the summer institute and field trips from Huntsville High School. Her tragic death in a car accident in 1991 was felt throughout her world. In Beth's memory, a scholarship fund has been established for a student from Hutnsville HIgh to attend the Summer Program. The faculty of the school select the recipient on the basis of their traits of enthusiasm, leadership and friendship that Beth displayed.
The restoration of this marsh site and the educational programs which will be designed around it are dedicatd in her name. It is hoped that the exhibit will somehow capture the spark and spirit that Beth always brought to the Sea Lab.
The Lost Wetlands
Since the middle of this century alone, almost 7,000 acres of nonfresh marsh have disappeared from the environs of Mobile Bay. The causes are industrial/navigation development, erosion/ subsidence and/or natural succession. Over the last two decades. the rate of loss attributable to the first mechanism has slowed and efforts at replacement and restoration have evolved slowly!
The scientists at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and the Mobile District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have designed a restoration p[roject which will transform a septic tank field into a natural estuarine marsh. The site will be the entry to the aquarium/museum and will offer an interpretive nature trail through the salt marsh. The natural history of the marsh, as well as the mechanisms of recovery, will be presented on story boards along an elevated boardwalk. The cultural hisotory of the site will also be reviewed for the visitor.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have provided partial funding for the project as part of the "Year of the Gulf" celebration.
Open House October 10, 1992 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Reception Site- Administration (1): The lobby of the administration building will be the check-insite. Students from the Discovery Hall Program will serve as host personnel for the Open House.
Displays presenting the plans and potential of the Estuarium are available for viewing. Of special interest is the "hardbottom" tank featuring several rare animals, including deep-water butterfly fish and moray eel previously unreported from the Gulf of Mexico.
The Sea Lab Bookstore/Gift Shop, located in the administration building, will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Discovery Hall (7): The faculty of Discovery Hall are presenting their "touch lab" in Discovery Hall. You have an opportunity to handle some of the material they use routinely with school groups and become familiar with some of the wonders of our coast.
Hospitality Area - Horizon (8): Visitors may relax under Horizon Hall at the south side of the campus. Refreshments and information packages are available. There will also be a slide presentation of activities at the Sea Lab.
Classrooms used in the K-12 programs of Discovery Hall and college programs are open for viewing. Specimens of marine animals commonly encountered on Alabama's coast are on display.
Video Presentations (9): Each hour, on the hour, there will be a video shown in Galathea Hall.
Marine Science Hall (19): The research faculty have arranged a number of displays explaining their programs at the Sea Lab, including studies of sea grass recovery and nutrient enrichment of Mobile Bay.
Wet Lab (20): Staff from the Estuarium have arranged a number of display tanks featuring organisms from the coastal area including sting rays, an electric ray and many others. A poster display on studies of oysterbiology is set up in the wet lab.
R.V.A.E. Verrill (22): Visit the 65 research vessel of the Sea Lab and get a look a tsome of the equipment that is employed by occanographers and marine biologists. Technical support personnel from the Lab will be available to demonstrate the near and answer questions.
DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB FACILITIES LAYOUT
1. Administration/Library/Bookstore
2. Tech Shop/Vehicle-Boat Yard
3. Albatross Hall (Apartments)
4. Laundromat
5. Maintenance
6. Endeavor (Class Room)
7. Discovery Hall (Class Room)
8. Horizon (Class Rooms/Offices)
9. Galathea (Class/Meeting Room)
10. Tennis & Basketball Court
11. Swimming Pool
12. Family Dwelling
13. Family/Faculty Housing
14. Cafeteria
15. Challenger Hall (Dormitory)
16. Beagle Hall (Dormitory)
17. Family/Faculty Housing
18. Radar Dome
19. Marine Science Hall
20. Wet Lab
21. Coast Guard Facilities
22. DISL Research Vessels
Open House Activities

n i., ed
D i n: IE: i; I
M
Summer, Fall 1992 The newsletter of the Marine Enviromnental Sciences Consortium Vol. 6, No. 1

21st Annual Benthic
wo Ecology Meetings Planned

The 1993 Benthic Ecology Meetings
will be held April 1-4. 1993 at the
Riverview Plaza -A Stouffer Hotel-
E in Mobile, AL. The University of
C
South Alabama and Dauphin Island
Sea Lab will co-sponsor the meetings
next spring. If you would like more
information please contact Drs. Loren
S Coen, Ken Heck or John Valentine
(205) 861-2141.

@b,

Representative Taylor Harper (left) and Congressman Sonny Callahan view '77ie
_3s
Living Marsh' display board at the dedication ceremony held in October.

Sea Lab Dedicates "The Living Marsh"

Congressman Sonny Callahan joined Thefirstphaseof theprojectwill restore
officials from the EPA Gulf of Mexico about two acres of natural tidal marsh
Program, the Corps of Engineers, to an area that had been converted to a
ADECA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife septic field. The site will be the entry
Service at the ground breaking to the Estuarium and will have an Governor Hunt Visits
ceremony for. the marsh restoration interpretive nature trail through the Sea Lab
project held October 10. Dr. Joe salt marsh. 'Me natural functions of
Thomas, Vice President for Academic tidal salt marshes and the cultural
Affairs and Provost at UNA and history of the area around Fort Gaines Governor Guy Hunt became the first
Chairman of MESC's Executive will be presented on story boards along governor to visit the Dauphin Island
Committee, represented the consortium boardwalks. It will take an estimated Sea Lab. 'Me governor viewed the
and Sen. Steve Windom joined Rep. three years for the marsh to return to its model of the Estuarium as Dr. George
Taylor Harper in dedicating the project original condition. Crozier explained the educational
to Beth Ladner. Beth, a talented and benefits the new construction would
active participant in the Sea Lab's Theconstruction contract for the project bring to the local public and tourist.
Discovery Hall Program, died has been awarded to J. F. Pate General Before his departure the governorjoined
tragically in an automobile accident in Contractor. Dauphin Island's Mayor, Doris
199 1. Beth's parents were present to Anderson, in planting a palm tree in
take part in the ceremony. front of the administration building.

Page 2

School of Science and
Math Initiate
Archaeological Survey

Theheadstonefor the graveof Michael
Carter triggered a concern for the
'Icultural" history of the Estuarium
site. A Corps of Engineers
archaeological team examined the area
in detail and issued a report which was
unremarkabie. The area had been
severely altered by the Air Force when
the septic field was constructed. Useful
historical information was provided
for the story line planned for the exhibit.

Alabama Science Teacher
The rocky, macroalgal dominated coastline of Maine. Conference Attended

ASTA held its fourteenth annual
Field Marine Science Course Goes to Maine statewide science teachers conference
in Birmingham, Alabama from Sept.
In September, 12 graduate and During the ten day visit, students were 10-12. Jenny Cook, Hazel Wilson and
undergraduate students, enrolled in the very busy with classroom discussions John DiPlacido conducted workshops
fall Field Marine Science course of scientific papers and individual and attended sessions. ASTA provides
offered by Drs. Kenneth Heck and projects. Projects ranged from the role a vital network for science educators.
John Valentine, caravaned to the Ira of nutrients in controlling macroalgal
Darling Center in Walpole, Maine. productivity to the influence of g
reen SEX.: AB.
ge
The selection of Maine for the class
crab prey selectivity on the a
study site provided many of the distributions of blue mussels along an
students with their first opportunity to intertidal gradient.
compare and contrast a rocky,
macroalgae dominated coastline which At the end of the summer
has tidal ranges in excess of 10 feet May's Cookbook is Here! session, Dr. Will Schroeder
with the marsh dominated gulf coast was honored by Dr. Judy Stout
where tidal ranges seldom exceed 3 TRIBUTE -To The Great Cooks of for surviving 20 consecutive
feet. the Dauphin Island Sea Ub years 0 f teaching
oceanography during the
Students were treated to lectures by After years in preparation, May summer session.
University of Maine faculty members TH I man's cookbook, featuring recipes, George and Jennifer
Drs. Robert Steneck and Les Watling. stories and pictures from the Sea Lab is McManus are the proud
Students also had the unique available. The early history of the lab parents of Pierce Martin. Their
opportunity to attend a seminar is delightfully told by both May and son was born October 22
presented by Dr. George Branch of the Dr. Crozier. Great gift and memento of weighing 8 lbs. 7 oz.
University of South Africa. Class the Lab - and a good cookbook. $17.95, Congratulations.
participants also took part in a trawl ing plus $2.50 postage and handling each We welcome Dana Roberts
and dredging cruise on the book. Alabama residents add $1.26 and Casey Harrisonto the Sea
Damariscotta River where collections sales tax, each book. To order send Lab family. Dana and Casey
provided a glimpse of the common check and return address to: May are instructors for the
fauna@ including American lobsters and Tillman, P.O. Box 316, Dauphin Island, Discovery Hall Program.
seascallops. AL 36528.

Page 3

Dr. Bob Shipp Honored

News of MESC Bob Shipp, faculty and former Acting
Director of MESC was honored as the
Graduate Students
USA College of Arts and Sciences
Schreiber Receives Sea Pennock and Students Dean's Lecturer. He is the 11th faculty
Grant Marine Policy Attend Gulf Coast member so recognized since 1982.
Fellowship Geochemistry Group He has authored about thirty scientific
Meeting papers on Gulf and Atlantic fishes, and
Ramona Schreiber (M.S., directed about twenty masters theses
University of Alabama) has been Dr. Jonathan Pennock and on marine fishes. Five of his students
awarded one of the 1993 Dean students Ramona Schreiber, Felix have gone on to complete doctoral.
John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fernandez, Jean Cowan and Skeet programs. He is author of "Dr. Bob
Fellowships administered Lores attended a meeting of the Shipp's Guide to Fishes of the Gulf of
through the Sea Grant Program. Gulf Coast Geochemistry Group Mexico" now in its third printing.
This fellowship will allow her to hosted by the Oceanography
spend one year in Washington, Department at Florida State Recently, the Secretary of Commerce
D.C. working and leaming about, University in October. This appointed Bob to represent Alabama
policy related issues as they affect informal meeting is designed to on the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries
the marine environment. Ramona bring marine/aquatic scientists Management Council, the decisions of
follows in the footsteps of MESC together to discuss their research which carry the force of Federal law
students Marc Wilson and Laurie on the Gulf Coast. Jon presented regarding marine resource regulations.
Sullivan who have also an overview of programs at the He also chairs the MARFIN Council,
participated in the program. Dr. MESC as well as an overview of which administers $4.5 million
Jim Jones at the Mississippi- nutrient cycling in Mobile Bay annually to marine researchers along
Alabama Sea Grant Consortium and near coastal waters. As a the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic
is responsible for nominating result of their participation, coasts.
individual applicants and MESC was asked to host the next
overseeing the progress of the meeting at the Sea Lab in the fall Dr. Shipp's research focuses on marine
students in the fellowship of 1993. fish populations, their evolution,
program. ecology, and distribution with special
interest in reef fish communities.

Graduate Course Schedule (Quarter Hours)

1993/94 1994/95

Fall- Physical Oceanography (6) Physical Oceanography (6)
Marine Ecology (6) Marine Ecology (6)
Marine Biogeochemistry (3) Oceanology of the Gulf of Mexico
Advanced Topics in Oceanography: Phytoplankton Ecology and Physiology (3)
Global Change (3) Field Marine Science - North Atlantic (3)

Winter- Chemical Oceanography (6) Chemical Oceanography (6)
Seagrass Ecosystem Ecology (3) Marine Resource Management (3)
Marine Resource Management (3) Marine Zoogeography (6)
Zooplankton Physical Processes in the Coastal Ocean (3)

Spring- Biological Oceanography (6) Biological Oceanography (6)
Field Marine Science - Florida Keys (3) Phytoplankton Ecology & Physiology (3)
Quantitative Methods Fisheries Oceanography
Benthic Ecology (4) Marine Analytical Instrumentation (3)
Marine Animal Physiology Fish Physiology

Page 4

BAYWATCH Goes into the
Schools

John DiPlacido and Dr. Crozier are
demonstrating the citizen monitoring
protocols to schools in the coastal area.
The middle school class at the Gulf
Shores School had already begun work
in the Weeks Bay Reserve and eagerly
adopted the new sampling exercise.
At the other end of the bay, the Adams
Middle School in Saraland initiated a
monitoring site on Bayou Sara, one of
the tidal streams leading into the Delta.

The BAYWATCH program in schools
is more oriented toward the educational
and student awareness objectives than
true trends analysis, but the data will
be utilized if it bears up under QA/QC
scrutiny. The schools are also excited
about using their computer labs to
analyze the data and communicatewith Students and teachers of Adams Middle School listen as John DiPlacido and Dr.
each other. Crozier explain the BAYWATCH Program.

Pennock and Schroeder ESEA Honors Discovery
Attend Estuarine Sciences Hall Program
Meeting At the National Elementary/Secondary
Drs. Jonathan Pennock and Will Education Act, the Dauphin Island Sea
Schroeder presented papers at thejoint Lab's Marine Science for Teachers was
meeting of the European Estuarine and identified as exemplary by a consultant
Coastal Sciences Association (ECSA) from the U. S. Department of Education
and the Estuarine Research Federation during a review in August 199 1. Wayne
(ERF) in Plymouth, England in mid- Teague, State Superintendent of
September. The meetings brought Education, congratulated the teachers
together estuarine researchers from and staff involved in the program for
Europe and the United States to discuss their hard work, enthusiasm and
thei research findings and directions. dedication to quality teaching in
Jon presented results factors controling Alabama's schools.
the expression of eutrophication in
estuaries, while Will discussed the
role that storm events play in shaping
Tidings newsletter is produced by
estuaries. In addition to the the Marine Environmental
presentations, participants were treated Sciences Consortium, P.O. Box
369-370, Dauphin Island, AL.
charge. Correspondence and
address corrections should be
directed to its editor, Lynn Bryant,
or phone (205) 861-2141. Fax
number (205) 861-4646.

Drs. Jon Pennock and Will Schroeder in to a cruise on the Tamar Estuary and a

front of the statue of Sir Francis Drake. tour through the Plymouth Marine
Drake departed Plymouth , England on Laboratory.
the historic voyage in which he
circumnavigated the globe.

Page 5
Professional Conferences Recent Publications
and Meetings

Coen, L. D., C. E. Tanner and N. M. Gittings, S. R., T. J. Bright, W. W. Schroeder, W. W. Sager, J. S.
Targett. "Form variation in a tropical Laswell and R. Rezak. 1992. Invertebrate Assemblages and Ecological
marine alga: consequences of Controls on Topographic Features in the Northeast Gulf of Mexico.
differential grazing pressure among Bulletin of marine Science 50(3):435-455.
habitats and herbivores." Ecological
Society America Meetings, Honolulu, Mars, J. C., A. W. Shultz and W, W. Schroeder. 1992. Stratigraphy and
Hawaii. Bull. Ecol. Soc. 73:142. (Aug. Holocene Evolution of Mobile Bay in Southwestern Alabama.
1992): Transactions - Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies. Vol.
XLH, pp. 529-542.
Coen, L. D. and K. L. Heck.
"Evaluation of quahog (Mercemaria Targett, N. M., L. D. Coen, A. A. Boettcher and C. E. Tanner. 1992.
mercenaria) abundance and growth Biogeographic Comparisons of Marine Algal Polyphenolics: Evidence
inshore Alabama and northwestern Against a Latitudinal Trend. Oecologia (Berl.) 89:464-470.
Florida waters: an assessment of
favorability for clam culture. Fifth
Annual MARFIN Conference, Corpus
Christi, TX (Oct. 1992). New Grants Received Schroeder Speaks at
Heck, K. L. and D. A. Nadeau. "T'he Dolphin Symposium
relative value of vegetated habitats to U.S. EPA.- "Coastal Submerged
juvenile red drum and spotted seatrout." Aquatic Vegetation Initiative." K.L. Dr. Will Schroeder was invited by the
National Marine Fisheries Service, Heck, L. D. Coen, J. R. Pennock, J. Alabama Conservancy to present the
MARFIN Conference, Corpus Christi, Valentine. 199211993. $32,000. opening talk at the recent public
TX (Oct. 1992). symposium entitled "The Dolphins of
NSF-EPSCoR -- "Physical and the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico and
Pennock, J. R. "Nutrient Dynamics in biogeochernical regulation of their Environment." His topic was
Mobile Bay and Near-Coastal Waters." production and community "An Overview of the Abiotic
Gulf Coast Geochemistry Group metabolism in a coastal embayment. Characteristics of the Northeastern Gulf
Meeting, Tallahassee, FL (1992). "J. R. Pennock, W. W. Schroeder. of Mexico." He focussed on air and
1992-1995.$296,177. water temperature data collected by
Pennock, J. R., J. H. Sharp, W. W. the Sea Lab on the east end of Dauphin
Schroeder. "What controls the Fall Colloquium Speakers Island over the past 18 years, as well as
expression of estuarine eutrophication? historical data sets of Atlantic tropical
- Case studies of nutrient enrichment storms and local river discharges to
and phytoplankton production from Dr. Ken Brown, LSU, "Complex illustrate climatic trends and the degree
the Delaware Bay and Mobile Bay Interactions in freshwater Lake Food of regional variability.
estuaries, USA. " Joint Estuarine and Webs-"
Coastal Sciences Association/Estuafine Dr. Don Potts Univ. Calif Santa Cruz Fox Visits Lab
Research Federation Meeting, Y
Plymouth, England. (Sept. 1992). and Smithsonian Institution, Dr. Sydney Fox, an expert on the
"Divergent speciation rates in Atlantic inorganic synthesis of biological
Schroeder, W. W., S. Douglass and and Pacific corals. macro-MOleCules, was given a tour of
W. Isphording. "Storm events: their the Sea Lab facilities by Dr. George
role in shaping estuaries." Joint Dr. David Millie, USDA-New Orleans, McManus in October. Visiting from
Estuarine and Coastal Sciences "Algal Pigments and Remote S Iensing: the University of Southern Illinois,
Association/Estuarine Research an Organismal and System Dr. Fox gave a seminar at the University
Federation Meeting, Plymouth, Perspective." of South Alabama.
England. (Sept. 1992).

Page 6

Chemosynthetic
t*" @77
All
Community Study
Continues

Dr. Will Schroeder participated in his
second summer cruise in the northern
Gulf of Mexico investigating
chemosynthetic communities in
August. This research is being
conducted by the Geochemical and
Environmental Research Group of
Texas A & M University and is
sponsored by the Minerals
Management Service of theDepartment
f Commerce.
0
-0t,
Matt Williams relocates sea oatsfor the "liWng marsh' exhibit.

Marsh Restoration Begins

Matt Williams, one of the Sea Lab The contractor will lower the elevation '?N
graduate students from the University of the land just south of the fringing
of South A] abama, turns the soil under marsh and Dr. Stout's team will Happy
thefirst batch of sea oats to be relocated. construct weirs to control water levels Holidays
One of the key stories in the in the site during the planting phase
construction of the "living marsh" which will begin in the late winter. A from th C;
exhibit is the tracking of the evolution number of experimental configurations
of natural processes associated with will be pursued and the site will be Sea Lab
the reconstruction of the system. The equipped with a number of remote
northern edge of the site already has monitoring instruments. The readouts
some natural marsh elements and those will be available for the general public
are to be undisturbed by the to view as part ofthe displays under the
construction activities. pavilion.

Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium Bulk Rate
Dauphin Island Sea Lab U.S. Postage
PAM
P.O. Box 369-370 Permit No. 4
Dauphin Island, AL 36528 Dauphin Island
Alabarna
36528

"The Living Marsh - Sword to Plowshare"

The tidal marshes of the north-central Gulf of Mexico are
dominated by two grasses - smooth cordgrass near the water I s
edge and black needlerushjust above the high tide line. Like
all tidal marshes, these areas are known to be functional
nurseries, providing both food and protection to its varied
inhabitants. But quantitative assessments of the users are
rare and the gradual invasion of "new" areas has never been
studied in detail.

The natural marsh has been restored within an area which
had been completely altered to provide septic tank treatment
for the formerAir Force base now occupied by the consortium
of colleges and universities which operate the Dauphin Island
Sea Lab. The wooden structures seen at the edge of the marsh
are experimental "weirs" designed to trap animals who enter
the marsh at high tide. Removable mesh panels are inserted
at high tide to enclose an area of 25 square meters. The
organisms thus captured are then measured. As the natural
marsh matures we expect the nature of the animal population
to reflect that evolution. The experiment will also yield
valuable data with regard to the economic potential-of restored
marshes in terms of living resources.

Data from the "new" marsh will be compared to similar
efforts in the natural marsh near the ferry landing. The
functional recovery of these reconstructions has long been
questioned in the technical community and these experiments
are designed to address that management issue.

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