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: 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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