Dr. Phillip P Schmutz

Recent research has increasingly focused on the intricate relationship between wind dynamics and sediment transport in coastal settings, particularly how surface features affect aeolian transport processes. Non-erodible roughness elements such as gravel or shell deposits play a significant role by altering wind flow and raising the wind velocity threshold required to mobilize sediment. Despite advancements in modeling, fully understanding sediment transport dynamics remains challenging due to the complex interactions between surface features and wind dynamics. This study explores the influence of non-erodible lag surfaces on sediment transport in sandy barrier island environments. Fieldwork on Santa Rosa Island, Florida, involved two plots: one with a natural sandy surface and another with a gravel lag surface. Wind and sediment transport were monitored for three months using cup anemometers and Wenglor particle counters. Spline regression models identified a two-knot system at wind speed thresholds of 9 ms−1 and 11 ms−1, representing critical changes in sediment transport dynamics. Our results show that non-erodible surfaces significantly reduce sediment transport at lower wind speeds. At wind speeds below 9 ms−1, sediment transport on the lag surface was 131 percent lower than on the non-lag surface. However, as wind speeds increased, the influence of the lag surface diminished, and no significant difference in transport was observed at wind speeds above 11 ms−1. These findings emphasize the intricate role of non-erodible elements in reducing sediment transport at lower wind speeds while enhancing transport dynamics under stronger wind conditions. These insights inform future models and guide coastal management practices.

Recent studies have begun to explore the role of wrack in dune development, acting as a sediment trap, facilitating dune growth. Research demonstrates that beaches with natural wrack accumulation exhibit more developed dunes and better vegetation cover compared to those where wrack was removed. Despite these findings, there remains a gap in understanding how wrack influences the wind field and sediment deposition on a smaller scale.

Excerpt - In this essay, we briefly examine Pensacola, Florida’s Graffiti Bridge. After providing a history of the bridge, we detail the “legality” of graffiti use on the bridge, and then review the various types of graffiti that go on the bridge as well as its use as a public gathering place. This case study is significant to geography as it highlights how urban spaces can serve as dynamic sites of cultural expression and interaction, offering insights into the ways communities negotiate and claim space.

Climate change is a global issue that will impact the preservation of historic heritage sites. However, much of the research on the impacts of climate change on historic heritage sites has focused on Europe and in the United States, studies have largely centered on National Park Service (NPS) sites. In the state of Georgia, a number of heritage tourism destinations central to the states vibrant tourism economy occur in its coastal zone, a zone navigating the impacts of sea-level rise, flooding, coastal erosion, and hurricanes. Given the limited understanding of the impacts on heritage tourism sites specifically within the state of Georgia-which has yet to develop a statewide adaptation plan - this study seeks to understand the impacts of climate change on heritage tourism sites from the perspective of site managers and staff. This study takes a multi-methodological approach utilizing surveys and archival research to understand site-specific impacts, management protocols, and management and staff views on climate change. The study focused on six sites in Georgiafalling under different ownership structures and found that managers and staff at all sites reported damage from hurricanes and flooding and were concerned about the impacts of climate change and the long-term survival of their site.

Surface moisture content is an essential factor that must be considered when studying aeolian sediment transport on a sandy beach. In recent years, near-infrared (NIR) remote sensing sensors have shown promise for obtaining accurate surface moisture data; however, prior studies utilized instruments with extreme costs. This study assesses the capability of an inexpensive NIR digital camera to measure surface moisture at two sandy beach environments - Tybee Island, Georgia and Pensacola Beach, Florida - that exhibit varying sediment hue characteristics. To account for temporal variations in solar atmospheric conditions, we normalized the raw sediment surface reflectance data against a white reflectance card and a sample of oven dry sand representative of each study site. This is a necessary step to account for solar atmospheric conditions. Calibration results illustrate that the NIR camera is capable of producing accurate representations of beach surface moisture; analyses from both study sites produced R-2 values greater than 0.76 with error estimates at +/- 1-2% moisture. No statistical difference in calibration relationships were observed for data collected over multiple days and times of day. Calibration data for the reflectance card produced more robust relationships with smaller prediction errors than the oven dry sand analyses; however. Overall, this study illustrates that an inexpensive digital camera modified to record NIR radiation is capable of producing robust and accurate measurements of beach surface moisture. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This project is intended to measure the spatial-temporal trends of submarine groundwater discharge in Escambia Bay using a thermal imaging drone. Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is groundwater that flows from the land into bays and seas. One important reason to monitor SGD relates to its ability to bring nutrients into estuarine systems which can cause harmful algal blooms and dead zones. Understanding the range and frequency of SDG zones allow for better management of eutrophication.

Surface Moisture content is the amount of water held in the top layer of soil; it is important to aeolian geomorphology and dune development as water acts as an adhesive increasing the force of wind required to transport the sand. Accurate measurement of surface moisture content can help to determine at what point sand transport may begin to occur.
Measuring surface moisture content has long been studied using a variety of Remote Sensing techniques including aerial, pole-mounted, or handheld cameras using both traditional RBG and Infrared imagery. However, never before have scientists attempted to measure surface moisture content with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). UAV’s have been used in variety of other forms of environmental research, however not for measuring surface moisture content.
UAVs have many potential advantages compared to the other surface moisture measurement methods. They are cheaper than aerial mounted cameras, can cover a larger spatial area than both pole-mounted and handheld cameras, and temporal measurements can be controlled by the researcher. Despite UAVs many perceived advantages, the accuracy and viability as a measurement method must be verified.

As coastal communities are experiencing increased impacts from climate stressors, it is becoming more important for policy makers to establish sound policy objectives for the protection of these communities. Top-down focused policies are not always successful as they do not always align with the wants and needs of a community. Bottom-up information, on the other hand, can be highly insightful for local policy makers to help design management strategies that include social needs and potential conflicts as they take into account the public's attitudes, perceptions, and expectations of the environment. This study sought to assess how beach users - local residents and tourists - perceive the environmental and economic ecosystem services that coastal dunes provide as well as their views on management strategies for the protection of these environments at Pensacola Beach. A total of sixty surveys were conducted at various beach locations in Pensacola Beach, Florida. Results indicated that beach users, both local and tourist, understood the environmental and economic value of coastal dunes, yet the different user groups showcased differing levels of willingness to support dune management initiatives. Local residents showed a substantially higher propensity to support dune management both financially as well as through action.

Environmental stressors such as sea-level rise, erosion, and increased storm frequency and intensity are exposing coastal properties to greater amounts of damage. Coastal habitats like beaches, dunes, seagrasses, and wetlands can help reduce exposure and property damage. Using InVEST's Coastal Vulnerability Model, an exposure index value was calculated for every 250 m2 segment along the coastline in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida, USA. Nineteen sea level-by-habitat management scenarios were evaluated for a suite of shoreline segments across multiple exposures that can be used to inform local decision making as part of larger strategies for coastal management. Overall, a rise in sea level and degradation of coastal habitats could decrease the number of lower exposed shoreline segments and increase the number of higher exposed shoreline segments. These results were used to identify changes in the amount of potential residential property damage among different scenarios. Under high sea levels, additional protection to coastal habitats could reduce the amount of residential property damage resulting from one tropical cyclone event by $50.4 million (2018 US dollars (USD)) (by the year 2050) and by $71.8 million (2018 USD) (by the year 2100) in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. This research demonstrates the effects that habitat type/abundance and sea-level rise could have on vulnerable coastlines. The results of the modeled scenarios can be incorporated into several recent community resiliency planning initiatives in the region to develop more robust management plans and preparations for a changing environment.
•Rising seas and habitat degradation scenarios increase higher-exposed shorelines.•Adding habitat protection into plans reduces property damage by tropical cyclones.•Added habitat protection for two counties can save $50.4 M by 2050, $71.8 M by 2100.