Coastal Resource Management

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Open Access
PERSPECTIVES ON WATER MANAGEMENT FROM LOCAL WATER DECISION MAKERS IN A COASTAL REGION
(East Carolina University, 2023-01-05) Bunnell, Anne E; Edwards, Bob, 1958-; Francia, Peter L; Montz Covey, Burrell; O'Driscoll, Michael; Dillard, Maria K; Coastal Studies
The effects of climate change are already apparent in eastern North Carolina. Higher than average global temperatures have been implicated in more extreme weather events, with more frequent and intense storms and prolonged periods without precipitation. Some of the impacts include flooding, droughts, and wildfires and each has caused loss of property and life, leading to economic and social consequences. Community water suppliers who are responsible for protecting public health and well-being are on the front lines of transitioning their communities to greater climate resiliency. Agencies at the federal level are developing case studies and training materials to assist in these transitions. However, beyond knowing the job titles that are held by individuals in local government and in utilities, this population of local water decision makers is under-investigated (Cockerill, 2014). This study employed a mixed methods approach of key informant interviews and a survey sent to a broader, representative population of these individuals to gather critical details to elucidate their priorities and provide avenues through which to reach them.
Open Access
Cultural Heritage and Coastal Resiliency: An Assessment of Archaeological Sites in North Carolina
(East Carolina University, 2022-07-19) Harrup, Matthew J; Ewen, Charles; Daniel, Randolph; Mallinson, David; Montz, Burrell; Mintz, John; Coastal Studies
Climate change is impacting archaeological sites on North Carolina’s coast. Sea-level rise and landscape inundation are often emphasized as the primary threat to cultural heritage from climate change; erosion is identified as the more significant hazard for archaeological sites because of its deterioration of the landscape. A meta-analysis of coastal vulnerability assessments provides a framework for cultural resource managers to address heritage sites under their management. An interdisciplinary assessment applies decadal projections to rank North Carolina’s 5000-plus coastal archaeological sites by vulnerability to erosion and cultural significance, establishing a foundation for near-term planning. Finally, a case study examines a major archaeological site in North Carolina experiencing rapid erosion. Innovative mitigation measures deployed at the site are considered within the context of archaeology and the implications for future research.
Open Access
Cultural Heritage and Coastal Resiliency: An Assessment of Archaeological Sites in North Carolina
(East Carolina University, 2022-07-19) Harrup, Matthew J; Ewen, Charles R., 1956-; Coastal Resources Management Program
Climate change is impacting archaeological sites on North Carolina's coast. Sea-level rise and landscape inundation are often emphasized as the primary threat to cultural heritage from climate change; erosion is identified as the more significant hazard for archaeological sites because of its deterioration of the landscape. A meta-analysis of coastal vulnerability assessments provides a framework for cultural resource managers to address heritage sites under their management. An interdisciplinary assessment applies decadal projections to rank North Carolina's 5000-plus coastal archaeological sites by vulnerability to erosion and cultural significance, establishing a foundation for near-term planning. Finally, a case study examines a major archaeological site in North Carolina experiencing rapid erosion. Innovative mitigation measures deployed at the site are considered within the context of archeology and the implications for future research.
Open Access
Fishers’ Perceptions of Ciguatoxin Fish Poisoning and Modeling Biomagnification of Ciguatoxin in the Trophic Dynamics of Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystems
(East Carolina University, 2021-01-15) Raab, Henry R; Luczkovich, Joseph J; Coastal Resources Management
Ciguatoxin fish poisoning (CFP) is caused by the consumption of tropical and subtropical fishes and other marine species with high levels of ciguatoxin (CTX) in their tissues. CTX is a polycyclic neurotoxin produced by single-celled, photosynthetic dinoflagellates in the Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa genera which are found in close association with benthic autotrophs. CTX enters the food web when these dinoflagellates are inadvertently consumed by herbivores grazing on their preferred substrates. The toxin biomagnifies up the food chain to the top predators and if humans consume seafood with high levels of CTX it can cause a variety of harsh symptoms. The best way to avoid CFP is to avoid toxic fishes. However, CTX is undetectable by physical inspection. To help prevent CFP cases, I, along with my colleagues, created two predictive models in Ecopath with Ecosim with data we collected and data from the literature, for areas in Puerto Rico, identified as CTX hotspots and coldspots by fishers. I confirmed the fishers' information by sampling fishes and estimating CTX levels in their tissues using a bioassay. We also collected toxic dinoflagellates and show here that the hotspot had much higher densities of these cells than the coldspot. We recommend managers in Puerto Rico establish a routine monitoring program for the toxic dinoflagellates to be used in conjunction with the models presented here to help predict when certain fishes may be toxic along specific reefs. This would mean a safer, more efficient, and more robust fishing economy in Puerto Rico.
Open Access
GOVERNMENT ACQUISITION OF HOMES TO REDUCE FLOOD DAMAGE, HOUSEHOLD WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR ACQUISITION POLICY
(East Carolina University, 8/5/2020) Frimpong, Eugene; Kruse, Jamie B
Studies show that a relatively small proportion of properties are responsible for a large proportion of the National Flood Insurance Program's claims. While several household-level flood risk mitigation measures exist to address the pervasive losses, government acquisition of at-risk homes is the most effective household-level flood mitigation approach to eliminate the flood risk to properties, but also the most expensive. The program, despite its potential, is arguably the most controversial and thus under-utilized by homeowners. To encourage participation, flood risk mitigation officials and policy makers want to know the factors that affect homeowners' willingness to participate in the program. So, to better inform policy makers, in this dissertation I examine empirically the factors that affect homeowner participation, including acquisition contract attributes, future insurance pricing, and availability of alternative mitigation efforts. Thus, this dissertation contributes to the growing literature on natural hazard risk mitigation and decision-making by providing evidence on the factors that influence homeowner participation in the government acquisition program. Also, this work provides valuable information on the potential effect of proposed programmatic changes on participation. In addition to attributes of the offered program, this dissertation explores how observables, like homeowner demographics and flood risk to the home, and latent characteristics, like homeowners' perceptions of flood risk, also impact willingness to participate. The dissertation consists of an introductory chapter and three self-contained papers organized into three chapters. In the first paper, which is presented in chapter 2, I combine homeowners' stated preference, socioeconomic, and flood risk data to examine acquisition price effects on participation and provide willingness to accept estimates. This paper has been published in the Southern Economic Journal. The second paper builds on the first paper in several ways. I use data from a national survey that elicits homeowners' stated preference for household-level flood risk mitigation, to examine how proposed changes to the buyout program, coupled with availability of alternative mitigation options like home elevation and future insurance pricing, will affect buyout participation. I estimate a conditional logit model and a random parameter logit model and provide willingness to accept estimates. In the final paper, which is presented in chapter 4, I evaluate the policy implications of utilizing subjective or objective risk indicators in hazard risk management tools. In the paper, I derive a single index each for subjective and objective risk using factor analysis, then integrate these indices with the discrete choice data from chapter 3. I then estimate conditional logit models to derive willingness to accept estimates to better understand how different risk indicator types affect hazard policy recommendations.
Open Access
THE POLITICAL ECOLOGY OF THE SEASONAL FISHERY CLOSURE IN THE VISAYAN SEA, PHILIPPINES
(East Carolina University, 8/5/2020) Ungkakay-Bagsit, Farisal; Griffith, David, 1951-
The seasonal fishery closure (SFC) policy is an important initiative for protecting and conserving the fisheries and aquatic resources in the Philippines, yet there are many problems with its implementation. It lacks consideration of the human dimensions of resource management, and empirical evidence on its effects on the regulated species. Using mixed methods, this study is conducted to gain a better understanding of the effects of the SFC implemented in the Visayan Sea on the fishery resources and stakeholders, as well as the underlying factors that affect policy outcomes. Chapter 1 provides a brief background on the world fisheries, the Philippine fisheries sector, the SFC policy implemented in the Visayan Sea and its gaps, the objectives of this study and the research questions it attempts to address. Chapter 2 contains the necessary background to the Philippine fisheries, SFC experiences in other countries, a description of the political ecology theoretical framework and its application in this study, as well as examples of political ecology and related studies that have valuable insights and application in fisheries management. Chapter 3 discusses the materials and methods used in data gathering, processing and analysis. It also presents the research framework, description of the study sites and the respondents. Chapter 4 explores how knowledge and perceptions of municipal fisheries stakeholders about the SFC vary among the respondent groups and municipalities, and how this influence their compliance with the SFC. It also examines how the SFC policy affects people's livelihoods, incomes, household dynamics, traditional practices, among other things. The political factors that undermine the conservation goals of the SFC in the Visayan Sea are likewise discussed. The last section of Chapter 4 presents the before-after control-impact (BACI) analysis that empirically tests reports of increasing fish stocks in the Visayan Sea. The conclusions and recommendations are provided in Chapters 5 and 6, respectively. The research outputs can contribute to improving the present management framework for Visayan Sea and in designing development programs that are in-sync with the specific needs and capacities of municipal fisheries stakeholders towards a more inclusive development in the Phlippine fisheries sector.
Open Access
SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION IN A LOW-VISIBILITY LOW-SALINITY ESTUARY IN NORTH CAROLINA: IDENTIFYING TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTIONS BY SONAR AND LOCAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE
(East Carolina University, 2020-06-22) Speight, Hilde; Griffith, David, 1951-
The rapid loss of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) across the globe has prompted state and federal agencies to conduct SAV inventories and develop monitoring programs, which are vital to the conservation and management of ecosystems. Due to advances in optical remote sensing technologies, the distribution and status of SAV in higher salinity, less turbid regions have been better documented than in turbid, low-salinity waters. Hence, much less is known about the status and trends of low-salinity SAV. The objectives of this dissertation were to document SAV abundance, distribution, and temporal variation in Albemarle Sound (AS), so scientists and managers can detect SAV changes through time and develop adequate management strategies. In 2014, I sampled the AS, North Carolina shoreline utilizing a single-beam sonar system. The AS rapid assessment survey (RAS), guided me to identify three large SAV beds (>10 km in length) and smaller intermediate size beds ([greater-than]10 km in length) throughout the Sound, most beds shallower than 2 m. The initial RAS allowed me to establish 10 permanent sentinel sites (SS) in the Sound. The purpose of establishing these sites was to examine SAV's spatial and temporal variation at regional (sound-wide) and local (site) scales at different depths, and to examine intra-annual variation of SAV to determine the optimal SAV sampling time. I sampled the SS for two consecutive years (2015, 2016), in the spring and fall each year. SAV abundance in AS was highly asynchronous sound-wide and by site. The biological surveys were complemented by a social science study that utilized Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) to study SAV stakeholders' perception about SAV and to assess their historical SAV distribution knowledge in western AS. Often, biological surveys do not go far back in time, so historical information (e.g., social surveys, interviews with fishers) can help expand our habitat knowledge beyond data collected during traditional surveys. I carried out open-ended interviews and written surveys with coastal residents, commercial fishers, and fisheries managers. The three groups had unique perspectives about SAV's ecological value and the effect of development on SAV. The LEK historical SAV distribution closely agreed with biological distribution data.
Open Access
Fish in Waterfowl Habitat: Managing National Wildlife Refuges for Multiple Purposes using Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge as a Model
(East Carolina University, 2020-06-22) Mulligan, Allison Stewart; Rulifson, Roger A. (Roger Allen), 1951-
Anadromous river herring (including Blueback Herring Alosa aestivalis and Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus) spend most of their lives at sea but migrate to freshwater systems during the spring to spawn. The spawning success of the two species is impacted by barriers to upstream spawning sites as well as nursery habitat quality. At Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR), the effectiveness of side-opening versus top-hinged gates in low-head water control structures in Lake Mattamuskeet for diadromous fish passage is unknown. Additionally, water control structure design and the focus of refuge resource management on waterfowl habitat has potentially limited fishing opportunities and/or fishery habitat, creating feelings of mismanagement among the public based on anecdotal information collected. The MNWR founding documents leave much of the exact natural resource management requirements open to interpretation, although historical and current refuge management have focused resources and staffing to provide optimal habitat for migratory birds, especially wintering waterfowl. Results of a textual analysis of MNWR and four nearby National Wildlife Refuge founding documents and Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCPs, a more-updated guiding document currently used by the refuges) indicated that none of the subsampled NWRs had close associations between the founding documents and the Comprehensive Conservation Plans. This suggests that NWRs in coastal North Carolina are not being managed in accordance with founding documents. For fish management and passage at MNWR, I compared two flapgate designs: a new side-opening gate and the existing top-hinged design. The side-opening gate passed significantly more fish of all species and significantly more Alewife compared to the top-hinged flapgate design. The spawning run for adult Alewife through Waupoppin Canal into Lake Mattamuskeet is still present but small. Four push net surveys designed to determine Alewife spawning success within Lake Mattamuskeet showed that Alewife spawning occurs in lake habitats but none of the surveys indicated that juvenile Alewife were abundant in lake habitats.
Open Access
Is this Ship Covered?: The Intersection of Law, Geography, and Management of Sunken Military Craft
(East Carolina University, 2019-12-10) Bleichner, Barry J; Harris, Lynn B.; Coastal Resources Management
The legal framework protecting historic shipwrecks and other underwater cultural heritage in the United States is largely fragmented and not always effective. Factors that may influence the legal protection afforded a shipwreck can include the type of ship, the location of the ship, the history and age of the ship, and the ship's country of origin. Management of historic shipwrecks may be spread across both federal and state agencies and without formal protocols that establish leadership. Many of these shipwrecks are also foreign in origin and protection for those resources is frequently determined by what some consider outdated and inapposite rules of law. Fortunately, the need to protect and properly manage historic shipwrecks has received increased recognition in legislative bodies and in the courts. One of the stronger pieces of federal legislation protecting shipwrecks is the Sunken Military Craft Act, which covers sunken military ships and aircraft around the globe. Under the act, warships, naval auxiliaries, and vessels owned and operated by a government on military noncommercial service at the time of sinking are protected from unauthorized disturbance. Considering the protective benefits afforded those sunken military craft covered by the act, the research presented here was designed to assess what types of vessels fall under the definition of protected vessels. To that end, the author consulted caselaw, applicable legislation, legal authorities, and the historical record as it applied to two types of vessels--Liberty ships operating during World War II and the privateers active during the Revolutionary war and War of 1812. The evaluation concluded that the two vessel types may be covered under the act depending on the particular voyage or activity in which the vessel was engaged at the time of sinking. The research and analysis presented is also intended to inform future evaluations of ambiguous classes of vessels to determine if they meet the statutory definition of included vessels. Many historic shipwrecks face continual threats from human factors, such as commercial fishing, recreational diving, commercial salvage, and offshore energy infrastructure. The application of federal and state legislation designed to protect historic shipwrecks from these and other hazards will often depend on the particular location of the resource. To assess the risks faced from anthropogenic hazards, the author created a risk model that incorporated the threats and protections confronted by shipwrecks in federal and state waters off the coast of North Carolina. The assessment involved production of a GIS through which each shipwreck included in the analysis would be assigned a value, which was output to a Shipwreck Vulnerability Index. Particular attention was paid to foreign shipwrecks, and the analysis presented herein includes discussion of the management issues facing foreign sunken military craft located in US waters.
Open Access
Where Science Meets Users Needs: Storm Surge in Eastern NC
(East Carolina University, 2019-11-26) Munroe, Robbie; Curtis, Scott; Coastal Resources Management
The coast is well researched because of its intrinsic value to visitors, the lives and property of those who live at the coast, and the environmental services it provides through tourism, natural resources, and as a natural barrier to waves, wind, and water. Storm surge coupled with wave energy at the coast is partly responsible for shaping or damaging coastlines including both natural and human built environments. This dissertation work explores the storm surge hazard focused across Eastern North Carolina through three standalone but related chapters. Storm surge at longer lead times is explored through the examination of climate oscillations related to storm surge characteristics (chapter one) and the synoptic conditions responsible for storm surge (chapters one and three). Emergency support personnel's desire for different types of surge information as well as surge information at longer lead times is covered in chapter two. Statistical and synoptic climatology results indicate a significant relationship between a combination of water height and duration with climate oscillations, which show promise in enhancing the forecasting and awareness of storm surge at greater lead times to further meet storm surge users' needs.
Open Access
From Dunes to Shelf Deposits: A Multidisciplinary Investigation of Coastal Sand Management in North Carolina
(East Carolina University, 2019-05-02) Conery, Ian W.; Walsh, J. P. (John Patrick), 1973-; Corbett, D. Reide (David Reide), 1971-; Geological Sciences
Coastlines around the world are environmentally and economically crucial to society but are being threatened by storms, sea-level rise and erosion. Beach nourishment is a widely used shoreline stabilization strategy that creates increased storm protection and other physical and economic benefits. This dissertation investigated multiple geologic and economic questions related to the management of sandy coastlines in North Carolina (NC), and work is separated into three chapters addressing different aspects. Using 22 months of terrestrial laser scanning, this research examined the evolution of a nourished, managed versus a non-managed beach-dune system and associated drivers of change. Largely due to anthropogenic factors (e.g., fencing and plantings) and increased sediment supply at the nourished site, the managed dunes accreted 1.7 times faster than the dunes in the unmanaged system. Observations showed storms are not just erosional, but also can increase overall dune volumes during optimal wind conditions, despite scarping to the dune toe. As erosion and sea-level rise persist, beach nourishment will continue, if not increase in the future. Because nearshore sand borrow sources may diminish, continental shelf resources may become necessary. This work examined the distribution of potential sand sources offshore southern NC. More than 300 nm (55 km) of sub-bottom, sidescan and core data showed the distribution of modern sand is complex and irregular. Some paleochannels contained viable sediment for beach nourishment, however, variable lithologies in others are not usable as a sand resource. Overall, geologic framework significantly influences the complex distribution of potential sand resources, hardbottom, and paleochannels. Reconnaissance data such as those produced for this study are critical to prevent multi-use conflicts on shelf areas under increasing demand (e.g,. wind, oil/gas). Nourishment is costly due to comprehensive geologic surveying and engineering practices. The last chapter investigated several communities in northeast NC (Dare County) that have recently used local funding to pay for expensive projects through county-derived occupancy taxes and municipal service tax districts. Oceanfront homeowners clearly receive the most benefits from nourishment, however this work examined the coastal housing market and homeowner's responses to nourishment. Results showed inland and soundfront homeowners capitalized on the opportunity to rent due to increased amenity value from nourishment. Increased rentals generate more in occupancy taxes and should be considered by policymakers when developing funding structures and assessing the long-term sustainability of nourishment. Overall, this research highlights the complexity of several integrated geologic, economic and policy issues on the coast. Coastal managers and planners should incorporate an understanding of these coupled natural and human responses to future management of sandy shorelines.
Open Access
Beyond the Waters' Edge: Complexity and Conservation Management of Underwater Cultural Heritage by Public Agencies in North Carolina
(East Carolina University, 2019-04-29) Watkins-Kenney, Sarah; Ewen, Charles R., 1956-; Coastal Resources Management
This study used a mixed methods case study approach to investigate the nature and behavior of the system in North Carolina within which managers in its public agency for Archives and History have implemented public policy to conserve the state's underwater cultural heritage since the early 1960s. The study provides a history of conservation management of underwater cultural heritage in North Carolina, methodologies, and a conceptual framework to help conservation managers identify and understand contexts within which they are working as either traditional or complex management systems. By organization theory, understanding context is recognized as crucial for effective management. When physical remains of the past are discovered in state waters it may be obvious to a professional conservator what actions are needed. Deciding what actions are taken, however, lies with public agency managers - beyond the waters' edge. Factors investigated for this study were players' (public, political, professional) interests, conservation actions, and time. Data was analyzed from the perspectives of three public policy systems models. Archives and History's management system generally was found to be traditional, but six case study sites were identified as complex adaptive systems.
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Nutrient contributions from septic systems in nutrient-sensitive watersheds: Quantifying nutrient inputs, reduction methods, and economic feasibility
(East Carolina University, 2019-04-30) Iverson, Guy; O'Driscoll, Michael Anthony; Humphrey, Charles Pittman; Geological Sciences
Eutrophication of surface waters is a global issue threatening aquatic ecosystems and recreational opportunities. Nutrient management strategies exist to reduce nutrient inputs from various sources; however, septic systems are typically not listed in these strategies. The goal of this research was to: 1) quantify mass export of nitrogen and phosphorus from septic-dominated watersheds relative to control watersheds (those without significant septic system usage); 2) implement retrofit best management practices (BMPs) in septic-dominated watersheds to quantify nutrient mass attenuation; and 3) perform cost-benefit analysis (CBA) to compare economic feasibility of using retrofit BMPs to conversion of septic to sewer. Results showed that nutrient exports were significantly elevated from watersheds with a high-density (HD) of septic systems (approximately 1.8 systems ha-1). Mass exports of total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and phosphate from HD watersheds (median: 4.9 kg-N yr-1 ha-1; 0.2 kg-P yr-1 ha-1) were approximately 5 and 10 times greater, respectively, than control watershed and low-density septic watersheds. An in-stream bioreactor (IBR) was installed upstream from a natural wetland (NW) to improve watershed attenuation of nutrients. Mass inputs of TDN and phosphate to the IBR were approximately 177.1 g-N day-1 (14.8 g-N day-1 ha-1) and 24.6 g-P day-1 (2.1 g-P day-1 ha-1), respectively. Mass exports of TDN and phosphate from the NW were 31.9 g-N day-1 (0.3 g-N day-1 ha-1) and 2.1 g-P day-1 (0.02 g-P day-1 ha-1), respectively, which was a load reduction of 82% (98% area normalized) and 91% (99% area normalized) for TDN and phosphate, respectively. CBAs implied that constructing and maintaining septic systems along with an IBR and NW was economically feasible based on nutrient attenuation benefits alone. Costs associated with converting from septic to municipal sewer along with utility fees outweighed potential nutrient removal benefits. This research suggests that including septic systems among nutrient management strategies may help North Carolina and other regions achieve nutrient reduction goals.
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SALT MARSH MOSQUITO DITCH ALTERATIONS: ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS AND PERSPECTIVES IN MANAGEMENT DECISIONS
(East Carolina University, 2018-12-10) Nolan, Casey B; Chalcraft, David R.; Coastal Resources Management
Salt marsh ecosystems are prized for the numerous ecological and economic services that benefit society. On the U.S. east coast, virtually all salt marsh habitat from Maine to Virginia has been hydrologically degraded by the creation of mosquito ditches. In the 1930s, mosquito ditches were excavated throughout marshes to drain standing water and reduce mosquito breeding habitat. Investigations of mosquito ditches found that ditching had including lowered water tables and salinities, changed plant communities, and reduced habitat for fish and waterfowl species. A large scale effort to fill mosquito ditches and restore natural hydrology is on-going at Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland. I investigated the impact of ditch filling at Assateague on plant species Spartina alterniflora and Salicornia. The percent cover and occupancy of Spartina alterniflora and the occupancy of Salicornia species were similar between ditched and unditched salt marshes before ditch filling was conducted. Following ditch filling, there was little evidence that ditch filling altered percent cover and occupancy in an ecologically meaningful way. I also tested the hypothesis that ditch filling would lower salinities in unvegetated marsh panne habitat and facilitate the establishment of S. alterniflora using transplants. Ditch filling did not appear to alter porewater salinities and though transplant survivorship was generally low across all marsh types, transplants in ditch-filled marshes exhibited 20% greater annual survivorship compared to ditched marshes. In a broader context, filling ditches is one of several ways to alter mosquito ditches for a desired hydrological impact. Ditch plugging, Open Marsh Water Management, and ditch remediation have also been used to alter marsh hydrology in order to achieve management desires. However, each technique involves uncertainty in outcome and impacts both in the short and long term. Practitioners of these techniques were interviewed to describe their approach towards this uncertainty and how they evaluated risk-versus-reward scenarios. Practitioners expressed similar responses towards approaching the ecological uncertainty of these techniques. Each championed the notions of starting pilot studies before larger efforts were initiated, the importance of ecosystem processes (such as vertical accretion), and that uncertainty in outcome should not inhibit trial-and-error approaches to restoring salt marsh hydrology.
Open Access
Integrative Complexity of Coastal Resources Management: Examining Tradeoffs Between Ecosystem Protection and Resource Use
(East Carolina University, 2018-07-20) Allen, Mary E.; Loomis, David K.; Geological Sciences
The management dilemma of use versus protection is a complex issue, and like most complex issues, it does not lend itself to a simple or simplistic solution. This dissertation research examined the connection between integrative complexity, value orientations, and attitudes toward coastal resource use and protection. These are important topics within the human dimensions of coastal resources management that can help us understand the cognitive processes people use when thinking about acceptable tradeoffs regarding the biophysical environment and use of that environment. Integrative complexity is a concept that indicates the simplicity versus complexity of a person's thinking process. A person who perceives nuance and subtle differences typically scores higher on an integrative complexity measure, whereas those who view the world as black and white score low on integrative complexity. The limited research into the linkages between integrative complexity and components of the cognitive hierarchy, as applied to coastal resource management, inspired this research. Florida-licensed recreational saltwater anglers were sent an online questionnaire. Of the three quantitative integrative complexity measures that were developed, the self-classification vignettes best segmented the anglers into low to high levels of integrative complexity. These integrative complexity levels were used in hypothesis testing. Based on the literature, it was hypothesized that higher integrative complexity thinkers would hold pluralistic value orientations, moderate attitude extremity, and higher acceptability of tradeoffs between use and protection. While much of the results showed mixed support for the alternative hypotheses, there were consistent patterns in the direction of value orientations, attitudes and acceptability of tradeoffs across integrative complexity levels. Overall, high integrative complexity anglers demonstrated ecocentric value orientations, more support for protection-oriented management actions, and higher acceptability for tradeoffs involving an increase in resource protection. Low integrative complexity anglers demonstrated relatively more anthropocentric value orientations, more support for use-oriented management actions, and higher acceptability for tradeoffs involving an increase in resource use.
Open Access
Shifting Sands and Shifting Strategies: Advocacy Coalitions, Bonner Bridge, and the Future of NC 12 on North Carolina's Outer Banks
(East Carolina University, 2017-07-18) Swain, Deanna F; Montz, Burrell Elizabeth; Geography, Planning and the Environment
Coastal management decisions are complicated. They involve an array of competing concerns, including environmental, social, economic, recreational, and property interests, and are inherently political. These decisions become even more difficult when interested groups use their political and economic leverage to influence the policy debate. The Bonner Bridge replacement project on North Carolina's Outer Banks is an example of how this blend of politics, science, and competing interests can result in extraordinary complexity. This research project uses a qualitative case study of the Bonner Bridge replacement to explore how a bridge project became more about priorities and values than science and technical feasibility and how interested parties, acting through informal coalitions, strategically worked to shape the policy debate. In the process, we see how the replacement of a single aging bridge required 25 years of planning, four environmental impact statements, an environmental assessment, federal and state lawsuits, and a negotiated settlement before a single piling was put into place. Drawing on the policy process literature, this project applies aspects of the Advocacy Coalition and Narrative Policy Frameworks to a qualitative content analysis of the bridge project over a 25 year period (1990-2015). The analysis tracks the emergence and evolution of two distinct coalitions and compares their use of general and narrative strategies to influence the bridge debate. The project addresses an under-explored area in the Advocacy Coalition Framework literature by focusing on how coalitions act strategically to exploit an internal shock within the policy subsystem and contributes to the literature by exploring the intersection of the two frameworks. The research design addresses three different questions: (1) did the bridge project function as an internal shock; (2) how did the coalitions use narratives and strategies to exploit this shock; and (3) what roles did science and politics play in these narratives and strategies? The context for the case study, including the science of barrier island and inlet migration, the history, economy, and demographics of Hatteras Island, NC, and regulatory and legal considerations, is explored through a detailed case background and chronology. This chronology is used to designate five policy periods within the case study. The source materials are publicly available narratives and comments produced by coalition members and compiled from newspaper accounts, websites, guest newspaper commentaries, letters to the editors, and comments submitted on the various environmental impact statements. These comments were coded, both by hand and using NVivo software, to identify and track the coalitions' key issues and both general and narrative strategies. These strategies and issues are compared between coalitions and tracked over time using the policy phases and case chronology. The analysis shows that the bridge project upset the status quo in the policy subsystem and triggered the emergence of two coalitions. These coalitions took distinctly different views on which issues were most important in the bridge decision and used different general strategies in the debate. Both sides altered their strategies and issues in response to each other and changing circumstances. The coalitions' narrative strategies indicated that they both perceived themselves as "losing" the debate. Finally, the analysis showed that the coalitions focused more on politics than scientific issues in their narratives. These results suggest directions for future research, including refinement of the idea of policy internal shocks (and related concepts), seconding calls for a hierarchy of coalition resources, and the need to develop a more fluid and dynamic understanding of "winning" and "losing" coalitions. While lessons from a single case study are not directly generalizable to other contexts, this project helps to refine aspects of two policy process frameworks. The case also offers insights into the interplay of science and politics and serves as a lesson in how individuals, both within and outside of government, influenced decisions in a high-stakes, high-visibility coastal infrastructure project.
Open Access
On a Sea of Sand: A Comparative Analysis of the Challenges to Beached Wreck Site Stability and Management
(East Carolina University, 2017-04-28) Jones, Jennifer E.; Harris, Lynn B.; Coastal Resources Management
The archaeological remains of ships in the beach zone are part of a complex and dynamic system, being periodically exposed and reburied, they vary between being both visible and frequently forgotten features of the physical and cultural coastal landscape. These limited and nonrenewable resources play an important informational role as tangible pieces of maritime heritage that also document dynamic coastal processes. Shipwreck remains in the beach zone are highly susceptible to instability within the landscape. This instability in turn, affects decisions regarding importance and management strategies. The challenges to certain management strategies may result in these resources being damaged, ignored or forgotten, leading to a potential loss of pertinent social, economic, and physical information. Although little can be done to prevent natural coastal processes, a better understanding of them allows for their mitigation and management. At the same time, an understanding of perceptions toward the beached wreck resource and associated management practices may guide practitioner decision-making and allow for the development of appropriate and innovative strategies of management.
Open Access
Re-evaluation of coastal cultural heritage resources : case study of North Carolina southeastern coastal region
(East Carolina University, 2016-12-15) Khakzad, Sorna; Griffith, David Craig; Harris, Lynn B.; Geological Sciences
Humans have had a long history of interconnectedness with the sea and ocean due to the use of natural resources available in the coastal areas. These interactions have influenced the natural landscape and played a crucial role in the formation of coastal cultural heritage. Coastal cultural heritage, a continuum of land and sea, is an important part of our cultural resources in the coastal areas. Presently, coastal cultural heritage has not been well-integrated into coastal management plans as a cultural resource. the values of cultural heritage have theoretically been recognized in benefiting people and its role in sustainable development. However, the qualitative and comparative analysis of coastal management experiences show that many valuable cultural heritage assets have been overlooked as resources in coastal management schemes. Acknowledging the significance of cultural heritage in Brunswick Country coastal area, the current study address three topics: 1) assessment of the impact of natural and environmental factors on coastal cultural heritage and identifying the heritage items that have been marginalized for variety of different reasons; 2) considering a new evaluation of a selected marginalized cultural heritage (fishing cultural heritage) and assessing the role of cultural heritage for fishing communities wellbeing; and 3) finally exploring the feasibility of developing a cultural tourism in Brunswick County directed at fishing communities. The study applies a multidisciplinary approach for data collection, analysis and evaluation purposes. A synthesis approach is applied and data from different sources on cultural and archaeological resources, and natural-environmental factors are compiled. ArcGIS software is used for analyzing data and creating risk maps for cultural heritage. In addition, several interviews and photo elicitation methods are used for understanding the viewpoints of local fishing communities regarding their cultural heritage resources. Content analysis, a series of graphs and quantitative analysis are applied to understand the state of cultural tourism in Brunswick County on fishing communities. The result of the first part of study shows that there are several sites that are in potential risk zones. However, more site-specific data are required for better assessment. The second section concluded that fishing communities respect their material culture. There are sites, buildings and objects related to fishing that are of sociocultural significance for fishing communities in Brunswick County. However, many of these items are suffering lack of attention and also abandonment. The study on tourism revealed that although there is interest in visiting fishing heritage, lack of information and proper publicity on fishing cultural heritage resulted in overlooking fishing cultural heritage sites as a tourist attraction. The study concludes that a balanced integrated and interdisciplinary evaluation of different cultural resources can enhance our understanding of the holistic values of cultural heritage as a resource to benefit people. Passing this understanding to managers and policy makers will help to improve future planning aimed at sustainable development. Better decisions require concrete evidence that demonstrates how re-evolution of cultural capital in regards to different aspects of communities and society can lead to outcomes that improve human well-being in the short and long term. This evidence should combine natural-environmental, cultural, economic, and social data.
Open Access
Delination of Coastal Shark Habitat within North Carolina Waters Using Acoustic Telemetry, Fisher-Independent Surveys, and Local Ecological Knowledge
(East Carolina University, 2016-07-20) Bangley, Charles W.; Rulifson, Roger A.; Biology
Knowledge of shark habitat preferences and use patterns is important to effectively manage shark fisheries and account for interactions between sharks and species targeted by other fishery management or conservation efforts. To gain baseline knowledge of the availability and spatial extent of shark habitat in North Carolina waters, habitat was assessed at three spatial scales: coastal nearshore, whole estuarine, and estuarine microhabitat. The local ecological knowledge of North Carolina fishermen was also incorporated and compared with data collected using fishery-independent means. Catch data and acoustic telemetry were used to assess shark habitat at the coastal nearshore scale. Sharks captured near Cape Hatteras could be grouped into warm water and cold water assemblages. Juvenile Dusky (Carcharhinus obscurus) and Sandbar (Carcharhinus plumbeus) Sharks were tracked using acoustic telemetry, and 12 of 15 tagged Sandbar Sharks were detected over an area from New York City to Savannah, Georgia. The spatial extent of potential juvenile Sandbar Shark habitat was influenced by a combination of sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a concentrations, with habitat restricted to an area in the northern portion of Raleigh Bay near the Hatteras Bight during winter. At the estuarine scale, boosted regression tree modeling of shark catch and environmental data from North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) gillnet and longline surveys were used to spatially delineate potential habitat for six species within Pamlico Sound. Inlet distance and temperature were among the most influential environmental factors associated with species presence, while salinity was the most influential factor on abundance. Potential habitat for most species was located on the east side of the sound near the inlets with the exception of the Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas), which showed hot spots of potential habitat near sources of freshwater input. At the estuarine microhabitat scale, catch and environmental data from a fishery-independent survey conducted in Back and Core Sounds and a small-scale acoustic array deployed around Middle Marsh in Back Sound were used to identify associations between species and with specific habitat types. Spatial overlap between species was generally low and species assemblages separated based on water temperature. Smooth Dogfish (Mustelus canis), and Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias) occurred primarily during mid-afternoon and Blacknose Sharks (Carcharhinus acronotus) occurring most often at night. A large Bull Shark tagged in another study accounting for the majority of tag detections and occurred within the array primarily during nighttime hours, most often on receivers deployed at two oyster reef sites and one sand flat site. Local ecological knowledge (LEK) of shark distributions and habitat preferences was gathered using structured interviews with North Carolina fishermen and their observations were compared with data from fishery-independent surveys and primary literature to assess their accuracy. All hypotheses generated from LEK were classified as either supported or plausible. Overall, water temperature was identified as an important influence on shark species presence and assemblage composition, with factors such as salinity and potential interspecific interactions more important at finer habitat scales. The locations and spatial extents of shark habitats in North Carolina are influenced by dynamic environmental factors and may be affected by large-scale perturbations such as climate change.
Open Access
Incorporating Migration and Local Movement Patterns into Management Strategies for Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias)
(East Carolina University, 2015-12-15) Cudney, Jennifer L.; Rulifson, Roger A. (Roger Allen), 1951-; Graduate School
The overall purpose of this dissertation is to increase understanding of migration and movement behaviors associated with a highly migratory elasmobranch species. In particular, I seek to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to warrant the separation of the northwest Atlantic Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias) into separate management units. These management units are not genetically distinct, but rather would be based on unique behaviors adopted by hypothesized groups of dogfish that connect reproductive, feeding, and overwintering grounds (“contingents”). This dissertation includes an introductory chapter that introduces the reader to the Spiny Dogfish resource and recent management actions undertaken, followed by a chapter that provides technical and design recommendations based on a meta-analysis and a case study, which address the challenges of conducting behavioral research in dynamic environments through the use of acoustic telemtry. Approximately 30 percent of papers reviewed had no details on design specifications. Meta-analyses suggest that more fish were redetected when more acoustic equipment was deployed for longer periods of time, exemplifying the need for robust equipment that can withstand the rigors of an offshore, dynamic environment. In particular, we found that a heavy anchor, a subsurface float holding a mooring line, and a highflier-float system produced the best results in our case study. New behavioral information, derived from an analysis of data collected through a long-term conventional mark-recapture program and a multi-year acoustic tagging program, suggest that spiny dogfish tagged off North Carolina in overwintering grounds routinely make seasonal migrations to summer feeding habitats off southern New England (specifically, Massachusetts), but do not necessarily follow the same pathway each year. Sharks were often not detected on acoustic receivers for lengthy periods of time, and mark-recapture data indicated extremely lengthy times at liberty (1,000+ days). Spiny Dogfish were also noted to be locally abundant but exhibit short residency times on the Hatteras Bight acoustic array. An evaluation of potential environmental drivers of localized behavior in the southern extent of the Spiny Dogfish range noted that certain factors (i.e., water temperature and weather) had an effect on the presence and absence of dogfish in the Hatteras Bight. Finally, the dissertation discusses the Spiny Dogfish Contingent Hypothesis, which suggests that the northwestern Atlantic stock could comprise as many as five behaviorally distinct groups of Spiny Dogfish. The work presented in this dissertation identifies predictable behavioral patterns undertaken by individual Spiny Dogfish and inferred from recapture data, which can be used in context with future studies to further evaluate and refine the Spiny Dogfish Contingent Hypothesis. Despite many examples in the literature where Contingent Theory has been applied to describe spatially complex behavior in fish stocks, it is rarely applied in management plans. The current management structure in place for Spiny Dogfish is complex, has evolved to respond to fishery needs over the past 16 years, and involves multiple state and federal agencies, councils and commissions. Future research would likely need to quantify contingent “vital rates” and/or contribution to overall spawning stock biomass or fisheries to fully justify the development of a new management framework.