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Phragmites australis , widespread in tidal marshes of the eastern coast of North America, spreads primarily by the growth of surface runners and underground rhizomes. The distribution of Phragmites , based on maps from aerial photography on Estuary Enhancement Program (EEP) sites of Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), was investigated before and after marsh restoration. Initial establishment of Phragmites occurred around 1950 near riverfronts or creek mouths and proceeded upstream. Phragmites expanded to creek bank berms, the tidal/upland edge as well as central marsh plains. Phragmites growth may be characterized into periods of (1) initial establishment, (2) unrestricted expansion, (3) restricted expansion (restricted by open water-creeks, upland borders, or other colonies of Phragmites ), and (4) monospecific marsh plains of Phragmites . Intrinsic rate of increase and increase in percent coverage measures for Phragmites growth on the EEP sites are comparable to those of other studies, although some EEP site values are much higher. Describing Phragmites expansion in these terms does not account for the actual distribution and pattern of Phragmites colonies as constrained by tidal creeks and upland boundaries. Therefore, an approach to estimate the actual rate of linear (or “radial”) expansion of Phragmites colonies was developed using standard GIS functions by having colonies represented by an equivalent ellipse having the same area and “diameter” as the colony or polygon. This perimeter expansion rate (PER) appears to estimate the actual growth rate of an advancing front of Phragmites as observed in the field from site maps of Phragmites coverage. This approach, as well as a GIS simulation of Phragmites colony growth, can be used to estimate the density of growing Phragmites rhizome buds (potential for regrowth) following management efforts.

John Russell (Russ) Mather joined the group of young aspiring graduate students that C. W. Thornthwaite attracted to his newly formed climatological research operation at Seabrook Farms, New Jersey...

The substantial relative sea level rise and more frequent storms predicted for the next 50 years, will impact coastal wetlands, beach erosion control strategies, salinity of estuaries and aquifers, coastal drainage systems, and coastal economic development. Coastal wetlands, including tidal salt marshes, tidal freshwater marshes and mangrove swamps, are generally within fractions of a meter of sea level, and could be lost, especially if the impact of relative sea level rise is amplified by coastal storms. To plan for wetland protection and sensible coastal development, scientists and managers need to monitor the changes in coastal wetlands as the sea level continues to rise. The primary objective of our study is to analyze changes at a unique Delaware Bay tidal wetland site, which faces an accelerated sea level rise due to a canal breach and to show how remote sensors and related techniques can be used for studying the impact of relative sea level rise (RSLR) and human activities on coastal wetlands. A secondary objective is to evaluate several RSLR models by trying to predict future changes at this test site. Preliminary results indicate that rapid changes of vegetation, hydrology, sediment accretion and erosion are taking place at the Milford Neck Conservation Area test site and that satellite and aircraft remote sensors, supported by a reasonable number of site visits, are highly suitable for mapping and studying these changes. The improved understanding of the processes occurring at this site will help wetland managers decide whether to intervene in the hydraulic regime by channel modification in order to accelerate or delay marsh development in a particular direction.

Based on our experience with the space shuttle, we plan to use the U.S. Laboratory Window Observational Research Facility (WORF) of the International Space Station (ISS) to study ocean dynamics and resources using high resolution color cameras, such as the NASA modified Hasselblad 500 EL/M camera with a 250 mm lens, and spectrometers. A major advantage will be the ability of ISS astronauts to first visually identify ocean features and then study them with high resolution cameras adjusted for optimum performance and over longer time periods. Our previous investigations have demonstrated that space shuttle photography has widespread applications to oceanographic and coastal studies, i.e., space shuttle photographs can be used not only for qualitative observations but also for quantitative measurements (Table 2). With ONR and NASA support, we are also developing an ocean internal wave data base and an archive of recent space shuttle imagery.

Geographical climatology must systematically investigate the exchanges of heat, water, and momentum that occur at or near the earth's surface. Our discipline should focus upon surface features described under the general term “topoclimatology”as well as upon transfer processes occurring in the planetary boundary layer. Climatologists must increase their understanding of the synergistic relationships among climatic processes, surface features, and human actions. Methods of data collection, summary, analysis, and display also need to be improved. These challenges must be met in order that we may develop a better understanding of climate and improve our quantitative climatic analogues.

Study of the frequency of damaging storms along the east coast of the United States during the past 40 years has revealed a significant increase in the past decade. Reasons for this increase are analyzed. It is concluded that man's generally unrestricted development of the outer coastal margin as well as a slight intensification of coastal cyclones have both contributed. Assuming no change in coastal development or meteorological conditions in the future, a storm damaging as much of the coast as the one in March 1962 would be expected once every 20 years. Based on recent storm damage experience, the New England coastal area and the region around Cape Hatteras appear to be particularly vulnerable to storm damage. The New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware coast and the coast from South Carolina to Florida seem to have a relatively low storm damage potential.