Cryopreservation of Florida Sea oats germplasm: A technology to ensuring long-term
availability of site-specific genotypes for dune restoration.
Dr. Michael
Kane, University of Florida.
This project will use micropropagation techniques and develop long-term germplasm
storage procedures to preserve sea oats genotypes for plants and seed. This
will result in a commercially cost-effective technology for maintaining and
producing sea oats seed donor populations for dune restoration. A workshop
will train project co-sponsors and user groups in micropropagation and cryopreservation
techniques. A high school student dune restoration outreach experience coordinated,
in part, by FSG extension agents will impart knowledge of the challenges, issues,
and science behind ecologically sound dune restoration.
Environmental controls on the dynamics of nursery habitat quality for
estuarine-dependent fishes.
Dr. Kevin Craig, Florida State University.
This project will develop a model for resource managers to evaluate how natural
and human-induced flow variations in the Apalalachicola-Chatahoochee-Flint
River Basin and how projected climate change may affect the capacity of Apalachicola
Bay to support the production of juvenile estuarine-dependent fishes (e.g.,
spot). The PI’s will also work through the Apalachicola National Estuarine
Research Reserve’s, Coastal Training Program, the FWC, the NF Water Management
District, and a local high school biology/chemistry teacher to develop a “hands
on” education module and lecture series to inform middle and high school
teachers and students, policy makers, and the general public about the ecology
of estuaries and how estuary function can be influenced by anthropogenic activities.
A FSG extension agent will assist in the development and implementation of
some of the planned outreach activities.
Development of test-based hurricane-induced building interior damage
and loss of contents data for improved risk mapping.
Dr. Arindham Chowdhury, Florida
International University.
This project builds upon an ongoing FSG funded research which is evaluating “full-scale” building
envelope construction materials and techniques to reduce wind-induced damage
using a state-of-the-art WoW facility that can simulate category 3 hurricane
wind and rain conditions. This project will determine the impacts of hurricane
wind and rain penetration to interior construction materials (drywall, flooring,
etc) which will factor into to a re-calibration of the Florida Public Hurricane
Loss Model - an industry standard used by insurance companies to assess risk
and policy valuation. A multi-faceted outreach agenda that targets high school
and undergrad students takes advantage of a number of existing FIU resources
(e.g., WoW facility) and outreach programs developed in part by the PI and
his program (e.g., Magnet Hurricane Engineering Program being implemented by
Dade County’s Coral Park Senior High School; FIU college of Civil Engineering
Professional Certificate Program in Sustainable Construction). The outreach
plan also engages a wide spectrum of end users through industry and agency
collaborators (e.g., Federal Alliance for Safe Homes; Disaster Survival House).
The proposal states that A FSG extension agent is helping the PI coordinate
outreach activities in Miami-Dade County.
Structural retrofit for extreme winds of aged wood residential roofs
using spray-applied adhesives.
Dr. David Prevatt, University of Florida.
This project will determine the durability of spray-applied polyurethane foam
adhesives to strengthen residential roof construction under high-wind and hurricane
conditions. Only limited data exist on how well roofs with these applied adhesives
resist uplift from strong winds and promote/react to moisture build-up due
to rain penetration. The PI’s will work through an advisory panel of
industry and agency representatives established for this project to disseminate
study findings in the form of a fact sheet and the development of formal design
guidelines for the testing and optimal application of these adhesives.
Ecosystem-based fishery management: An interdisciplinary approach
to evaluating grouper harvest policies.
Dr. Mike Allen, University of Florida.
This project will develop and implement an ecosystem simulation model to explore
the ecological and economic impacts of different harvest policies for grouper
in the West Florida Shelf. It will integrate the effects of protected areas,
seasonal closures, quotas, and length limits on ecological, economic, and social
aspects of the grouper fishery. Outreach will consist of two “gaming” workshops
allowing invited industry, agency, and other stakeholder representatives to
(1) evaluate biological, ecological, and economic data sources used in the
model, and (2) to run a variety of ad-hoc simulated conditions to explore the
effects of various policy interventions on economics and impacts to the reef
fish community.
Eliminating barriers to commercial production of Sunray Venus clams
in Florida through enhanced hatchery production, growout site selection,
and definition
of product attributes.
Dr. John Scarpa, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.
This project represents the third phase of a research strategy to determine
the commercial viability of the sunray venus clam as a means to diversify the
Florida clam aquaculture industry. Project investigators will interface directly
with hatchery operators and growers to train them in enhanced production methods.
Two FSG extension agents will be involved in the implementation of workshops
that describe hatchery methods. In addition, two FSG extension specialists
will conduct product quality and attribute evaluations from wholesale dealers
and their clients to determine the demand for and marketability of the Sunray
Venus clam.
Grouper forensics for seafood quality control.
Dr. John Paul, University of
South Florida.
A major challenge facing the seafood industry is confirming
the identity of fish products sold in restaurants, seafood markets, and by
wholesalers. A commonly “substituted” fish is grouper. This project
will develop and validate a grouper-specific nucleic-acid sequence based amplification
(NASBA) assay for use in field investigations with a hand-held monitoring /
detection device. The expectation is that this device can be commercially developed
and provide quick and reliable grouper species identification. The new devise
will be evaluated by a number of users / benefactors of this new technology
including: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS),
Division of Food Safety; Bureau of Food Laboratories; Bama Seafood; Bonefish
Grill, Beaver Street Fisheries; Pacific-Coral Seafood.
Implementation of Vibrio monitoring methods needed to sustain Florida
coastal communities.
Dr. Anita Wright, University of Florida.
This project seeks to develop a rapid and cost-effective test using a new
approved multiplex QPCR system for simultaneously detecting and monitoring
three pathogenic
Vibrio species found in fresh and post processed oysters. This new system
shows great promise for detecting pathogens in seafood but lacks field testing
and
integration into current post harvest processing protocols. The outreach
element will address this issue by offering workshops to inform and train
appropriate
user groups on the QPCR detection methodology via the recently established
Oyster Industry Laboratory in Apalachicola and through existing extension
programs (e.g., UF Oyster School).
Oyster demand adjustments to alternative consumer education and post
harvest processes in response to Vibrio vulnificus.
Drs. Ash Morgan, William L. Huth and
Gregory S. Martin, University of West Florida.
Science-based direction, that supports and augments current research directed
at developing and implementing educational and outreach programs, is needed
to better inform consumers of the potential risks associated with Vibrio vulnificus.
Researchers will develop methodology and determine consumer behavior toward
seafood safety information across different media sources. Consumer responses
will be measured and their relative impact on consumer behavior quantified.
(2008) Principal investigators: Ash Morgan, University of West Florida, amorgan@uwf.edu;
William L. Huth, University of West Florida, whuth@uwf.edu;
Gregory S. Martin, University of West Florida, gmartin@uwf.edu.
Projected Reorganization of Seagrass Communities in Response to Altered
Freshwater Flow in Florida Bay (R/C-E-55).
Drs. Darrell A. Herbert
James W. Fourqurean, Florida International University, and
Christopher Madden, South Florida Water Management District.
Scientists will predict and map changes in
seagrass expected to occur in Florida Bay if there are changes in sea level,
salinity and nutrient inputs. That information will help managers successfully
implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, particularly in regard
to reaching decisions about future water flows to the Bay. (2010) Principal
investigators: Darrell A. Herbert, Florida International University, Darrell.Herbert@fiu.edu;
James W. Fourqurean, Florida International University, Jim.Fourqurean@fiu.edu;
Christopher Madden, South Florida Water Management District, cmadden@sfwmd.gov.
The Possible Effects of Commercial Trap Fishing on a Lethal Viral
Disease (PaV1) in Spiny Lobsters (R/LR-B-61).
Dr. Mark Butler, University of Florida.
Spiny lobsters are one of the most economically
valuable fisheries in Florida. The results of this work will help the fishing
industry and state agencies manage lobster populations in a manner that helps
control viral infection. (2010) Principal investigators: Donald C. Behringer,
University of Florida, dbehr001@odu.edu; Mark Butler, University of Florida,
mbutler@odu.edu.
Coral-associated “Probiotic” Bacteria: Exploring Mechanisms for
Potential Applications in Biocontrol of Coral Diseases (R/LR-MB-27).
Dr. Nicole Horenstein, University
of Florida.
Scientists
will identify how corals use beneficial bacteria to protect themselves from
disease, contributing to the information needed to sustainably manage Florida
coral reefs and their associated multi-billion dollar per year economy. (2010)
Principal investigators: Max Teplitski, University of Florida, maxtep@ufl.edu;
Kim Ritchie, Mote Marine Laboratory, Ritchie@mot.org; Nicole Horenstein, University
of Florida, horen@chem.ufl.edu.
Predicting Impacts of Coastal Habitat Degradation on an Economically
Important Fish (R/C-E-54).
Dr. Aaron J. Adams, Mote Marine Laboratory.
Effects of degraded coastal creek habitat on the survival
of juvenile snook will be determined in this study. Snook are a prized sport
fish in Florida coastal waters, and understanding how land development affects
their habitat is important to both survival of the species and the marine fishing-related
economy. (2010) Principal investigator: Aaron J. Adams, Mote Marine Laboratory,
aadams@mote.org.
Development of a Sustainable Biological Production Method for the
Potent Cytotoxic Agent Leiodermatolide (R/LR-MB-26).
Dr. Amy Wright, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution.
This study will develop methods to sustainably
produce an anti-tumor compound recently discovered in marine sponges. (2010)
Principal investigators: Peter McCarthy, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution,
pmccarthy@hboi.edu; Amy Wright, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, wright@hboi.edu.
Carboxylated Neuroprotective Agents from Cone Snails (R/LR-MB-28).
Dr. Frank Mari, Florida Atlantic University.
Marine
biotechnology researchers will isolate biological compounds from cone snails
and conduct assays to evaluate the potential for new therapeutic agents. (2010)
Principal investigators: Frank Mari, Florida Atlantic University, mari@fau.edu;
Jang Y. Wu, Florida Atlantic University, jwu@fau.edu.
Development of an Immortalized Sponge Cell Line for Sustainable Supply of
Marine Bioproducts (R/LR-MB-25).
Drs. Shirley A. Pomponi and Susan H. Sennett Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution,
and Rene H. Wijffels, Wageningen University.
Marine sponge cells lines will be developed
for use in producing marine-derived bioproducts. Over 2,600 novel chemicals
have been isolated from sponges, but their low levels preclude commercial development.
If successful, this work will make a significant breakthrough in addressing
the supply problem for marine biotech products. (2010) Principal investigators:
Shirley A. Pomponi, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, pomponi@hboi.edu;
Rene H. Wijffels, Wageningen University, Rene.Wijffels@wur.nl; Susan H. Sennett,
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, sennett@hboi.edu.
Species Diversification in Florida Shellfish Aquaculture: Nursery
and Grow-Out of the Sunray Venus Clam (R/LR-A-45).
Drs. John Scarpa, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, and Leslie
Sturmer, R. LeRoy Creswell, and Charles M. Adams,University of Florida.
This is phase two of the aforementioned
project. The objective is to develop methods that the aquaculture industry
can use to grow sunray venus clams out to market size in a cost-effective manner.
Field trials are being conducted in collaboration with four industry partners
at clam lease areas in two counties to develop, test and demonstrate biological
and technical methods to culture the new product. (2010) Principal investigators:
John Scarpa, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, JScarpa@hboi.edu; Leslie
Sturmer, University of Florida, LNST@ufl.edu; R. LeRoy Creswell, University
of Florida, creswell@ufl.edu; Charles M. Adams, University of Florida, cmadams@ufl.edu.
High Resolution Coastal Inundation Mapping to Enhance Hurricane Resiliency
in Florida (R/C-S-49).
Drs. Y. Peter Sheng, Justin Davis,
and Alexandru Sheremet, University
of Florida.
High resolution data on coastal flooding, collected
by the USGS during recent hurricanes, will be used to fine-tune storm surge
models for emergency managers and coastal planners. Accurate models can save
lives and minimize economic losses from the tropical storms that impact our
coasts. (2010) Principal investigators: Y. Peter Sheng, University of Florida,
pete@coastal.ufl.edu; Justin Davis, University of Florida, davis@coastal.ufl.edu;
Alexandru Sheremet, University of Florida, alex@coastal.ufl.edu.
Planning for Sustainable Coastal Communities and Waterways (R/C-P-29).
Drs. Michael S. Spranger, and Robert S. Swett, University of Florida.
The Florida Sea Grant Boating and Waterway Management Program will broaden
the scope of the existing efforts to: (1) enhance smart growth planning and
implementation in Florida by identifying and pursuing opportunities for smart
growth collaboration with Florida’s coastal communities; (2) provide
science-based
information, planning models, and innovative tools and methods to state and
local decision-makers to encourage sustainable growth and waterway management
in coastal communities; (3) use Geographic Information Technologies to
provide solutions that foster sustainable shorefront development and waterway
management; and (4) develop training opportunities for Sea Grant and UF/IFAS.
Extension faculty who will use the information in their individual educational
activities.
(2010) Principal investigators: Michael S. Spranger, University
of Florida, spranger@ufl.edu; Robert S. Swett, University of Florida, rswett@ufl.edu.
A Spatial Hazard Index of Semi-Permanent Rip Currents in Northwest
Florida (R/C-S-50).
Drs. Chris Houser and Klaus Meyer-Arendt,
University of West Florida.
Field observations and computer models will be used
to more accurately characterize rip currents along Pensacola Beach. Improved
understanding of rip current behavior will allow better forecasts of conditions
that are hazardous to swimmers. (2010) Principal investigators: Chris Houser,
University of West Florida, chooser@uwf.edu; Klaus Meyer-Arendt, University
of
West Florida, kjma@uwf.edu.
State and Local Policy Development for Coastal Access, Coastal Economic
and Ecosystem Health and Coastal Hazard Mitigation and Adaptation (R/C-P-30).
Drs. Thomas T. Ankersen, Thomas
Ruppert, and Richard Hamann, University
of
Florida.
Local
waterfront governments would benefit from a comprehensive legal analysis of
their coastal policy making authority, especially in the confusing near-shore
jurisdictional environment, and from a systematic assessment of the planning
tools at their disposal that is packaged in a usable format. This is an applied
legal and policy research and model code development project, coupled with
legal and planning extension to disseminate results. Working with selected
communities, investigators will marshal information and develop locally applicable
policy plans adapted to individual community needs. (2010) Principal investigators:
Thomas T. Ankersen, University of Florida, ankersen@law.ufl.edu; Thomas Ruppert,
University of Florida, ruppert@law.ufl.edu; Richard Hamann, University of Florida,
hamann@law.ufl.edu.
Preliminary Data Analysis to Test Land-Use Influence on Red Tides in
Choctawhatchee Bay, Florida (PD-08-5).
Drs. Matthew Schwartz and Wade Jeffrey, University of West
Florida.
New genetic methods are being developed to identify
links between red tide events that recently have been occurring along the
Atlantic coast of Florida with specific sources of water pollution. (2008)
Principal investigators: Matthew Schwartz, University of West
Florida Department of Environmental Studies, mschwartz@uwf.edu; Wade Jeffrey,
University of West Florida, wjeffrey@uwf.edu.