Education

Research Description

Dr. Nelson’s research takes a data-intensive, management-focused, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of complex biological system dynamics. Her specific research interests include: using data analytics and integrated models to inform agriculture, aquaculture, water, and coastal resources management; estimating estuarine system futures as a function of local and global change; identifying risks to food security in coastal basins; linking data mining and mechanistic modeling approaches; and investigating spatial and temporal dynamics of socio-environmental systems across settings and scales.

Publications

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Grants

RAPID:Collaborative Research:Assessing Chemical and Microbiological Contamination in Environmental Waters in Eastern North Carolina After Hurricane Florence

National Science Foundation (NSF)(12/01/18 - 11/30/19)

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RAPID:Collaborative Research:Assessing Chemical and Microbiological Contamination in Environmental Waters in Eastern North Carolina After Hurricane Florence

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 12/01/18

End Date: 11/30/19

Abstract

The flooding caused by Hurricane Florence, which charted a path through southeast NC, provides an immediate and unprecedented opportunity to study the potential dispersal of contaminants into the environment by floodwaters. Contaminants include pathogens and nutrients associated with waste products of confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and slaughterhouses, heavy metals associated with coal ash, and emerging contaminants related to industrial facilities and wastewater treatment operations. In particular, the NC counties most affected by Florence house thousands of swine operations that treat the waste of millions of animals in open lagoons and sprayfields. Thousands of additional poultry operations collect dry waste and transport it to nearby farms for land application. Waters from Hurricane Florence are currently inundating these lands, mobilizing agricultural wastes and emerging contaminants. This work is prudent, given that extreme flooding events are likely to become more common with the growing threats of climate change.

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RAPID: Coastal Consequences of Engineered Water Control Systems: The Role of Freshwater Discharges in Florida's Ongoing Harmful Algal Bloom Crises.

National Science Foundation (NSF)(9/15/18 - 8/31/19)

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RAPID: Coastal Consequences of Engineered Water Control Systems: The Role of Freshwater Discharges in Florida's Ongoing Harmful Algal Bloom Crises.

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 9/15/18

End Date: 8/31/19

Abstract

The topic of “land-sea management” – in which ecological connections between land and sea are explicitly considered – has increasingly gained awareness and appreciation given that many marine environments respond more strongly to changes occurring on land than at sea. However, segregation of terrestrial and marine management jurisdictions across governing agencies, lack of knowledge on integrated land-sea dynamics, and scarcity of cross-system training among professionals, tradesmen, and academics have historically created barriers to land-sea research and management. In the proposed research, we will specifically focus on resolving the effects of human-managed freshwater control regimes on the magnitude and duration of coastal algal blooms. As a representative case study, we will analyze historical observations and high-frequency water quality measurements from the Lake Okeechobee-Caloosahatchee River-Gulf of Mexico system in Florida, which is the site of a severe and ongoing harmful algal bloom.

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Continuation of Nutrient Effects on Sweetpotato Yield and Shape

NC Sweet Potato Commission(3/01/18 - 9/30/19)

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Continuation of Nutrient Effects on Sweetpotato Yield and Shape

Sponsor: NC Sweet Potato Commission

Start Date: 3/01/18

End Date: 9/30/19

Abstract

The objectives of this research continue and build upon findings of a project begun in 2016 to investigate the influence of different cultural practices, especially different nitrogen types and timing of applications, on the shape and size development and yields of multiple sweetpotatoes varieties. Additional specific aims are to: 1. Continue to fine tune the unique equipment and analytical methodologies that have been developed in the last two years to scan and analyze the shape and size characteristics of different treatment populations of sweetpotatoes. 2. The ultimate aim of this work is to minimize the production of over/under sized and misshappened sweetpotatoes by identifying those numerous factors that influence size and shape.

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Harmful Algal Blooms in the Indian River Lagoon

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(10/01/18 - 9/30/19)

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Harmful Algal Blooms in the Indian River Lagoon

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Start Date: 10/01/18

End Date: 9/30/19

Abstract

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are major threats to the health and stability of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), and directly or indirectly impact the integrity of many key components of the ecosystem, including seagrasses, drift algae, benthic invertebrates (e.g. clams and oysters), fish and marine mammals. In addition, HABs can negatively impact commercially and recreationally important human uses of the IRL and can directly affect human health via the production of toxins. In this study, a network of ten strategically placed sites that span the IRL will be sampled twice per month and analyzed for phytoplankton composition, abundance, biovolume and biomass, including the identification of HAB species. In the short-term, observations of major phytoplankton blooms and the dominant taxa in the blooms, will be reported to IRL NEP and other key agencies. The data produced will be used in quantitative modeling applications to define environmental drivers for blooms, and how they vary by region of the IRL and HAB species. Additional medium/long term goals are to generate model outputs that can forecast HAB development and identify optimal targets for management efforts to control blooms.

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