RESEARCH > Research Programs

2007 student researchers enjoying their summer at the Wetlands Institute left to right: Clara Cooper-Mullen - Kenyon college, Meg Perry - Swarthmore College, Kaity Mattos - Washington University in St. Louis, Cathy Banning & Jess Williamson - Immaculata University, and Rachel Kippen - University of Redlands.

The 2008 Coastal Conservation Research Program and the Asian Scholar Program are seeking applications for summer research interns. As always, our researchers represent a wide variety of colleges and universities from the United States and abroad. All of our researchers share a common enthusiasm and energy that make them fun to interact with.

Coastal Conservation Research Program
Program Director: Dr. Roger Wood, Wetlands Institute and Richard Stockton College
Program Coordinator: Ilene Eberly,Wetlands Institute

Asian Scholar Program
Program Director: William Espenshade III, Villanova University

Terrapin Conservation Project
The Terrapin Conservation Project was established at the Wetlands Institute in 1989. The project assesses the impact of human activities on diamondback terrapins and ways to reduce those impacts. Using terrapins reared in our "turtle farm" we evaluate the impacts of our head-starting program on the local terrapin population. We also determine the distribution, movements and abundance of terrapins using several different approaches (mark, release, recapture and telemetry). Finally, we conduct basic and applied studies on terrapin life history, reproduction and ecology.
Principal Investigator: Dr. Roger Wood, Wetlands Institute and Richard Stockton College
Research Scientists:
Dr. Rosalind Herlands, Richard Stockton College
Dr. Dan Hernandez, Richard Stockton College and Wetlands Institute
Dr. Patrick Baker, Swarthmore College
Research Associate: William Espenshade III, Villanova University
Research Coordinator: Ilene Eberly, Wetlands Institute

Innovative Use of Dredged Materials and Disposal Sites to Reduce Diamondback Terrapin Mortality & Enhance Nesting Habitat
The Wetlands Institute, in partnership with the Richard Stockton College Coastal Research Center and Ocean Coastal Consultants Inc., has developed a research project with support from the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s “I Boat New Jersey“ grant program. The primary objective of the project is to identify locations that are suitable for restoration and enhancement of diamondback terrapin nesting habitat with an emphasis on beneficial use of dredged material. Priority areas for terrapin habitat restoration and mortality reduction will be identified using spatial analysis techniques (GIS and remote-sensing) and field visits. For more details about the program, please see our fact sheet. Iboat Terrapin Study Fact Sheet
Principal Investigator: Dr. Roger Wood, Wetlands Institute
Research Scientists:
Dr. Dan Hernandez, Richard Stockton College and Wetlands Institute
Dr. Patrick Baker, Swarthmore College
Research Coordinator: Ilene Eberly, Wetlands Institute

Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab and Migratory Shorebird Project
Research will focus on conservation of shorebirds and horseshoe crabs of Delaware Bay. The major goal for this summer will be to establish baseline data for behavior and habitat use of laughing gulls and other non-priority shorebird species. Red knots, ruddy turnstones, sanderlings, and semipalmated sandpipers have been the focus of large research and conservation efforts. We will focus on other shorebirds that use the Bay but have not been well studied. Other goals include conducting experiments on shorebird foraging and horseshoe crab egg biology.
Principal Investigator: Dr. Dan Hernandez, Richard Stockton College

2007 Student Researcher, Emily Jack-Scott - Yale University, collecting samples of marine invertebrates in the intertidal zone

Beach Biology Project
The Beach Biology Project studies the intertidal zone of beaches throughout Cape May County, focusing on the beaches of Seven Mile Island. Research focuses on burrowing invertebrate life and profiling of physical beach characteristics. Techniques include: use of sieve sampling, surveying, profiling, and sand sampling. The beaches are compared examining species diversity and abundance along with sand grain size and sand migration patterns. The Project is currently researching local raked versus unraked beaches and beaches affected by filling, such as Stone Harbor Point.
Principal Investigator: Dr. Ron Hutchison, Richard Stockton College

Least Tern Breeding Ecology
Least terns are colonial beach nesting birds that are listed in New Jersey as state-endangered. Along the NJ coast, beaches are heavily used by people for recreation during the least tern nesting season. Disturbance from human activities and predators frequently interrupt incubation, exposing eggs to potential predators and/or potentially detrimental temperature fluctuations. Temperature data loggers (Ibuttons) will be used to monitor incubation in relation to nest abandonment and disturbance. The project will also focus on position in the colony (e.g. edge vs. center) and the spatial distribution of nests within the colony (e.g. clustered vs. scattered). Research Abstract
Principal Investigator: Ilene Eberly, Wetlands Institute

Juvenile Great Egrets Stand Perched on Their Nest

Colonial Waterbird Breeding Ecology
This project will examine the effectiveness of conducting weekly ground surveys on nesting colonial waterbirds in comparison to aerial surveys conducted by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. Point counts and nest monitoring will determine the breeding success of two heron rookeries located on Gull and Sturgeon Island. Continuous monitoring efforts throughout the nesting season may be beneficial to understanding predator activities, inter- and intra- specific competition, and the overall breeding ecology of egrets and herons.
Principal Investigator: Ilene Eberly, Wetlands Institute