Two shards of Native American pottery found at shell midden site that is located on an actively eroding shoreline of Apalachicola Bay. The shards show distinctive markings created by paleo Indians thousands of years ago.
Kathryn E L Smith, Ph.D.
Kathryn Smith is a Research Ecologist at the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center. Her research focuses on the impact of coastal erosion hazards on wetland and estuarine ecosystems.
Dr. Kathryn Smith’s research focuses on linking geospatial and geophysical data to assess environmental change in coastal wetlands, estuaries, and barrier islands. Kathryn is responsible for leading efforts in geospatial data analysis procedures, examining the complex dynamics of coastal sedimentary processes, paired field and spatial modeling studies which assess the vulnerability of coastal ecosystems to storms and sea-level rise, and enhancing capabilities for paleoecological assessment of coastal habitats. In addition, Kathryn has maintained a teaching and graduate student advising role at the University of South Florida.
Science and Products
Cultural Heritage at Risk Tool (CHART) Project
Coastal erosion threatens the loss of Native American cultural heritage and archaeological sites located along our coastlines, reducing opportunities to increase knowledge of past communities and environments. This project leverages an advisory team of ancestral Tribes, coastal managers, and archaeologists to strengthen the effectiveness of coastal hazard data, focusing on assessing the...
Evaluating the Vulnerability of Indigenous Shell Middens and Marsh Habitat Diversity to Sea Level Rise
Coastal marshes in the Gulf of Mexico host diverse ecological communities and hold Native American cultural artifacts within shell mounds (middens). However, both are vulnerable to erosion and submergence due to rising sea levels and more frequent severe storms. Researchers supported by this Southeast CASC project will develop a risk-assessment tool to evaluate the vulnerability of cultural sites
Estuarine Shoreline Change Research Project
The goal of the estuarine shoreline change project is to define shoreline positions for historical and modern wetland shorelines and calculate rates of change along the U.S. East and Gulf coasts.
Estuarine and MaRsh Geology Research Project
The goal of the Estuarine and MaRsh Geology (EMRG) Research Project is to study how and where short- and long-term marsh and estuarine coastal processes interact, how they influence coastal accretion or erosion, and how they pre-condition a marsh’s resiliency to storms, sea-level change, and human alterations along the northern Gulf of Mexico (Grand Bay and Point aux Chenes, Mississippi and St...
Sea-level and Storm Impacts on Estuarine Environments and Shorelines (SSIEES)
This project assesses the physical controls of sediment and material exchange between wetlands and estuarine environments along the northern Gulf of Mexico (Grand Bay Alabama/Mississippi and Vermilion Bay, Louisiana) and the Atlantic coast (Chincoteague Bay, Virginia/Maryland).
Native American pottery shards
Two shards of Native American pottery found at shell midden site that is located on an actively eroding shoreline of Apalachicola Bay. The shards show distinctive markings created by paleo Indians thousands of years ago.
Rock breakwaters are used to protect marsh shoreline from erosion
The estuarine shoreline of barrier islands along the Gulf of Mexico are vulnerable to shoreline erosion. Structures, such as this rock breakwater, can be used to protect the shoreline from erosional waves.
The estuarine shoreline of barrier islands along the Gulf of Mexico are vulnerable to shoreline erosion. Structures, such as this rock breakwater, can be used to protect the shoreline from erosional waves.
Native American shell middens along many coastlines are vulnerable to shoreline erosion
These shells are what remains of a Native American shell midden that is located along an actively eroding shoreline in Apalachicola Bay.
These shells are what remains of a Native American shell midden that is located along an actively eroding shoreline in Apalachicola Bay.
Backbarrier coastline of St. George Island
The estuarine (backbarrier) shoreline of barrier islands in Gulf of Mexico are complex, ecologically diverse habitats that are under threat due to human development, sea level rise, and storms.
The estuarine (backbarrier) shoreline of barrier islands in Gulf of Mexico are complex, ecologically diverse habitats that are under threat due to human development, sea level rise, and storms.
Estuarine shoreline erosion exposes a Native American shell midden
Estuarine shoreline erosion exposes a Native American shell midden beneath the surface of a coastal flatwood forest. Shell middens are the discarded shells and materials from generations of Indigenous people who lived along U.S. coastlines.
Estuarine shoreline erosion exposes a Native American shell midden beneath the surface of a coastal flatwood forest. Shell middens are the discarded shells and materials from generations of Indigenous people who lived along U.S. coastlines.
Native American shell midden is exposed to erosion from sea level rise and storms
Florida archaeologist, Nicole Grinnan, talks about the vulnerability of Native American shell middens to coastal erosion from sea level rise and storms along the Apalachicola Bay.
Florida archaeologist, Nicole Grinnan, talks about the vulnerability of Native American shell middens to coastal erosion from sea level rise and storms along the Apalachicola Bay.
Marsh lateral shoreline erosion and shore-proximal sediment deposition
Salt marshes provide important economic and ecologic services but are vulnerable to habitat loss, particularly due to shoreline erosion from storms and sea level rise. Sediments eroded at the marsh edge are either delivered onto the marsh platform or into the estuary, the latter resulting in a net loss to the marsh sediment budget and released soil carbon.
Salt marshes provide important economic and ecologic services but are vulnerable to habitat loss, particularly due to shoreline erosion from storms and sea level rise. Sediments eroded at the marsh edge are either delivered onto the marsh platform or into the estuary, the latter resulting in a net loss to the marsh sediment budget and released soil carbon.
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of fossilized diatom phytoplankton specimens. The specimens are sampled from salt marsh sediments and help scientists by providing clues to present and past environmental and hydrodynamic characteristics.
linkScanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of fossilized diatom specimens (microfossils). Diatoms are microscopic phytoplankton (algae) that are found in aquatic environments all over the world. Plankton species have preferences for different water and environmental conditions, such as salt or fresh water, attaching to sand or vegetation, or river versus estuary.
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of fossilized diatom phytoplankton specimens. The specimens are sampled from salt marsh sediments and help scientists by providing clues to present and past environmental and hydrodynamic characteristics.
linkScanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of fossilized diatom specimens (microfossils). Diatoms are microscopic phytoplankton (algae) that are found in aquatic environments all over the world. Plankton species have preferences for different water and environmental conditions, such as salt or fresh water, attaching to sand or vegetation, or river versus estuary.
Scenic photograph of Grand Bay estuary following a day in the field
- Scenic photograph of Grand Bay estuary taken from a boat just before sunset following a day in the field.
- Scenic photograph of Grand Bay estuary taken from a boat just before sunset following a day in the field.
Tidal creek just after sunrise at Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and National Wildlife Refuge
linkScientists from the USGS St Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC) capture the smooth water of the tidal creek reflecting a pastel sky and soft clouds while heading out for field work at early dawn.
Tidal creek just after sunrise at Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and National Wildlife Refuge
linkScientists from the USGS St Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC) capture the smooth water of the tidal creek reflecting a pastel sky and soft clouds while heading out for field work at early dawn.
Science and Products
Cultural Heritage at Risk Tool (CHART) Project
Coastal erosion threatens the loss of Native American cultural heritage and archaeological sites located along our coastlines, reducing opportunities to increase knowledge of past communities and environments. This project leverages an advisory team of ancestral Tribes, coastal managers, and archaeologists to strengthen the effectiveness of coastal hazard data, focusing on assessing the...
Evaluating the Vulnerability of Indigenous Shell Middens and Marsh Habitat Diversity to Sea Level Rise
Coastal marshes in the Gulf of Mexico host diverse ecological communities and hold Native American cultural artifacts within shell mounds (middens). However, both are vulnerable to erosion and submergence due to rising sea levels and more frequent severe storms. Researchers supported by this Southeast CASC project will develop a risk-assessment tool to evaluate the vulnerability of cultural sites
Estuarine Shoreline Change Research Project
The goal of the estuarine shoreline change project is to define shoreline positions for historical and modern wetland shorelines and calculate rates of change along the U.S. East and Gulf coasts.
Estuarine and MaRsh Geology Research Project
The goal of the Estuarine and MaRsh Geology (EMRG) Research Project is to study how and where short- and long-term marsh and estuarine coastal processes interact, how they influence coastal accretion or erosion, and how they pre-condition a marsh’s resiliency to storms, sea-level change, and human alterations along the northern Gulf of Mexico (Grand Bay and Point aux Chenes, Mississippi and St...
Sea-level and Storm Impacts on Estuarine Environments and Shorelines (SSIEES)
This project assesses the physical controls of sediment and material exchange between wetlands and estuarine environments along the northern Gulf of Mexico (Grand Bay Alabama/Mississippi and Vermilion Bay, Louisiana) and the Atlantic coast (Chincoteague Bay, Virginia/Maryland).
Native American pottery shards
Two shards of Native American pottery found at shell midden site that is located on an actively eroding shoreline of Apalachicola Bay. The shards show distinctive markings created by paleo Indians thousands of years ago.
Two shards of Native American pottery found at shell midden site that is located on an actively eroding shoreline of Apalachicola Bay. The shards show distinctive markings created by paleo Indians thousands of years ago.
Rock breakwaters are used to protect marsh shoreline from erosion
The estuarine shoreline of barrier islands along the Gulf of Mexico are vulnerable to shoreline erosion. Structures, such as this rock breakwater, can be used to protect the shoreline from erosional waves.
The estuarine shoreline of barrier islands along the Gulf of Mexico are vulnerable to shoreline erosion. Structures, such as this rock breakwater, can be used to protect the shoreline from erosional waves.
Native American shell middens along many coastlines are vulnerable to shoreline erosion
These shells are what remains of a Native American shell midden that is located along an actively eroding shoreline in Apalachicola Bay.
These shells are what remains of a Native American shell midden that is located along an actively eroding shoreline in Apalachicola Bay.
Backbarrier coastline of St. George Island
The estuarine (backbarrier) shoreline of barrier islands in Gulf of Mexico are complex, ecologically diverse habitats that are under threat due to human development, sea level rise, and storms.
The estuarine (backbarrier) shoreline of barrier islands in Gulf of Mexico are complex, ecologically diverse habitats that are under threat due to human development, sea level rise, and storms.
Estuarine shoreline erosion exposes a Native American shell midden
Estuarine shoreline erosion exposes a Native American shell midden beneath the surface of a coastal flatwood forest. Shell middens are the discarded shells and materials from generations of Indigenous people who lived along U.S. coastlines.
Estuarine shoreline erosion exposes a Native American shell midden beneath the surface of a coastal flatwood forest. Shell middens are the discarded shells and materials from generations of Indigenous people who lived along U.S. coastlines.
Native American shell midden is exposed to erosion from sea level rise and storms
Florida archaeologist, Nicole Grinnan, talks about the vulnerability of Native American shell middens to coastal erosion from sea level rise and storms along the Apalachicola Bay.
Florida archaeologist, Nicole Grinnan, talks about the vulnerability of Native American shell middens to coastal erosion from sea level rise and storms along the Apalachicola Bay.
Marsh lateral shoreline erosion and shore-proximal sediment deposition
Salt marshes provide important economic and ecologic services but are vulnerable to habitat loss, particularly due to shoreline erosion from storms and sea level rise. Sediments eroded at the marsh edge are either delivered onto the marsh platform or into the estuary, the latter resulting in a net loss to the marsh sediment budget and released soil carbon.
Salt marshes provide important economic and ecologic services but are vulnerable to habitat loss, particularly due to shoreline erosion from storms and sea level rise. Sediments eroded at the marsh edge are either delivered onto the marsh platform or into the estuary, the latter resulting in a net loss to the marsh sediment budget and released soil carbon.
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of fossilized diatom phytoplankton specimens. The specimens are sampled from salt marsh sediments and help scientists by providing clues to present and past environmental and hydrodynamic characteristics.
linkScanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of fossilized diatom specimens (microfossils). Diatoms are microscopic phytoplankton (algae) that are found in aquatic environments all over the world. Plankton species have preferences for different water and environmental conditions, such as salt or fresh water, attaching to sand or vegetation, or river versus estuary.
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of fossilized diatom phytoplankton specimens. The specimens are sampled from salt marsh sediments and help scientists by providing clues to present and past environmental and hydrodynamic characteristics.
linkScanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of fossilized diatom specimens (microfossils). Diatoms are microscopic phytoplankton (algae) that are found in aquatic environments all over the world. Plankton species have preferences for different water and environmental conditions, such as salt or fresh water, attaching to sand or vegetation, or river versus estuary.
Scenic photograph of Grand Bay estuary following a day in the field
- Scenic photograph of Grand Bay estuary taken from a boat just before sunset following a day in the field.
- Scenic photograph of Grand Bay estuary taken from a boat just before sunset following a day in the field.
Tidal creek just after sunrise at Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and National Wildlife Refuge
linkScientists from the USGS St Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC) capture the smooth water of the tidal creek reflecting a pastel sky and soft clouds while heading out for field work at early dawn.
Tidal creek just after sunrise at Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and National Wildlife Refuge
linkScientists from the USGS St Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC) capture the smooth water of the tidal creek reflecting a pastel sky and soft clouds while heading out for field work at early dawn.