27 Sep 2024

Habitat and Landcover Classification and Maritime Forest Restoration Recommendations for Deer Island, Mississippi

Abstract: This report addresses two objectives: (1) an island-wide survey and mapping initiative to document habitat and landcover types present on Deer Island, Mississippi, and (2) an evaluation of forested resources on Deer Island along with recommendations to improve and expand the extent of maritime forests on the island. Diverse habitats were documented, including more than 30 distinct habitat and landcover types ranging from wetland marshes to maritime forests and sand ridges. The habitat and landcover survey (and accompanying maps) support ongoing and future ecosystem restoration activities, provides baseline data to conduct change analysis over time, and informs decision-making related to the management of the island’s natural resources. Additionally, the characterization of Deer Island’s forests documented a range of forest health conditions dictated by elevation gradients, soils, invasive species presence, and other factors. Collectively, the data presented inform ongoing planning efforts related to restoration activities on the island as well as future management opportunities to ensure Deer Island continues to provide ecological functions that benefit the community of Biloxi, Mississippi. The results and recommendations herein are broadly applicable to other barrier islands across the northern Gulf region and promotes additional research into the ecology of these unique coastal features.

28 Apr 2020

PUBLICATION NOTICE: Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment Life-Cycle Structure Response Modeling

Abstract: Dauphin Island, a barrier island off the coast of Alabama, plays an important role in the protection of the state’s coastal natural resources. In 2011, the State of Alabama constructed a rubble mound berm across a 2 km breach in the western end of the barrier island to prevent oil from the Deep Water Horizon oil spill from migrating into the Mississippi Sound. The breach, referred to as the Katrina Cut, was caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Geological Survey (USGS) performed the Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment study to assess the current and future function of Dauphin Island and evaluate potential restoration measures. A Monte Carlo life-cycle structure response assessment of the Katrina Cut rubble mound structure was performed as part of this study by the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory. Damage, wave transmission, and reliability were computed within the context of the decadal barrier evolution analysis performed by the USGS for various storminess and relative sea level change scenarios. The presence of a beach in front of the structure plays an important role in its protection. The breaching potential for measures was evaluated.