Coastal Environmental Extension
Habitat Restoration
Within the Northern Gulf of Mexico region there are many restoration opportunities that need to be accomplished. Potential restoration projects include: shoreline stabilization, wetland habitat creation, stream restoration, creation of riparian and agricultural buffer zones, dune restoration, and invasive species eradication followed by restoration. Restoration opportunities will be determined by working with researchers, natural resource managers, city planners, and state and federal agencies.
Ecosystem restoration attempts to return the altered, degraded, or destroyed landscape back to its preexisting condition. The main goal is to return the major ecological functions and services provided by the natural flora and fauna when economical and scientifically feasible. Habitat restoration projects provide many ecological services such as stabilizing unconsolidated sediments in shallow water, reducing turbidity, decreasing shoreline erosion, increasing biodiversity of aquatic and terrestrial species through preserving access, improving water quality, increasing the amount of organic matter needed for the maintenance of wetlands, and increasing the ability of communities to resist and recover from storm events.
Presentations
- Boyd, C. A. 2010. The Science of Coastal Restoration. Mississippi Coastal Roots Summer Teacher Workshop, Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center, Biloxi, Mississippi.
- Boyd, C. A. 2010. Mississippi Habitats of Concern Related to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Associated Coastal Extension Programs. MACAA Professional Improvement Conference, Forest County Extension Office, Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Publications
- Christine E. H. Coker, C. E. H., G. Bachman, C. Boyd, P. Blanchard, E. Bush, and M. Gu. 2010. Coastal Roots: Connecting Students with Sustainability in Mississippi and Louisiana. Horticulture Technology: 20 (3) 499-502.
- Community Grass Garden Final Report
For more information, contact: Dr. Chris Boyd