Research

At Coastal Studies Lab, we delve into the complex coastal ecosystems of the Lower Laguna Madre (LLM). Our team of interdisciplinary researchers examine essential environmental issues ranging from oil spill forecasts to nutrient loading evaluations. By integrating advanced technology with field monitoring we tackle challenges such as marine debris, vegetation changes, and species conservation.

Our research on the Texas coast supports sustainable management practices. Check out our publications to see how we contribute to coastal science and conservation.

• Coastal Impact Assistance Program - Baseline Study for Oil Spill Planning. – T. Whelan, PI

  Under contract with Cameron County, CSL researchers are conducting a hydrographic survey at critical locations in the Laguna Madre to predict where an oil or chemical spill would travel if it entered the Laguna Madre through the Brazos-Santiago Pass from the Gulf of Mexico.

• Modeled Inflow Validation & Nutrient Loading Estimation in Two Subwatersheds of the Lower Laguna Madre. – H. DeYoe, PI

  This project is a collaborative project that will assess through field monitoring and rainfall-runoff modeling the input of nutrient loading from two major ungaged subwatersheds into the Lower Laguna Madre (LLM).

• Impact of Anthropogenic Disturbances and Global Climate Change on the Carbon (C) and Nitrogen (N) Dynamics of Coastal Vegetation. – A. Rahman, PI

  A research group uses satellite-borne imagery, aerial photography, and ground-based remote sensing, combined with boat-mounted sonar sounding to map the disturbed and relatively intact areas of mangroves and seagrasses in the Lower Laguna Madre.

• NOAA Marine Debris Outreach and Education Grant. – A. Rahman, PI; B. Goza and R. Kline, Co-PIs

  The CSL’s NOAA-funded Clean Valley – Clean Gulf program is focused on encouraging measurable behavioral changes towards marine debris prevention by k-12 students, beachgoers, and residents Valley-wide, through participation in beach cleanups, disseminating Public Service Announcements, and engaging the general public in novel ways using smartphones and social media.

• Commercial Launch Site Pre‐ Construction Species Monitoring Survey. PIs: David Hicks, Karl Berg, and Heather Alexander.

  This is the first phase of a consortium project involving three UTB/TSC faculty to conduct pre-launch site construction baseline surveys of avian, sea turtle, and vegetation of the Boca Chica SpaceX facility.

• Evaluation of Beach Management Practices. PI: David Hicks

  This is a collaborative effort between UTB/TSC and the town of South Padre Island. The objective of this partnership is to experimentally assess the beach management practices adopted by the City of South Padre Island (e.g., beach grooming, nourishment, dune restoration, etc.).

• Artificial Reef Monitoring and Research Program. PIs: David Hicks, Carlos Cintra, and Richard Kline

  Ongoing partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Artificial Reef Program (ARP) since 2007 to monitor artificial reefs ranging 7 to 17 NM off the South Texas coast.

• Environmental Cooperative Science Center (ECSC): A Regional Ecosystem Approach for the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Coastal and Marine Resources. PIs: Dr. Michael Abazinge, Principal Investigator (FAMU), UTRGV PIs: David Hicks, Carlos Cintra, and Alejandro Fierro

  The goal of this project is to increase minority participation in environmental, coastal and oceanic sciences and assist NOAA in meeting its agency workforce needs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

• Sea Turtle Inc.-University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College Sea Turtle Biology Internship. PIs: David Hicks & Diego Figueroa
  

  Annual award to support graduate student research related to sea turtle biology.

• Texas OneGulf Center of Excellence Consortium. PIs: David Hicks, UTRGV Consortium Leader; UTRGV Co-PIs Chip Breier, Karl Berg, Carlos Cintra Buenrostro, Alejandro Fierro, Diego Figueroa, Richard Kline, Daniele Provenzano, Abdullah Rahman, and Owen Temby

  Consortium award with Harte Research Institute (HRI) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and eight other academic institutions focused on marine science and human health to promote collaborative, multi-disciplinary research, synthesis and problem solving concentrated on the Gulf of Mexico.