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.
Professional Experience
Research Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal & Marine Science Center, 2017 to present
Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal & Marine Science Center, 2003 to 2017
Research Assistant, West Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 1999 to 2002
Research Analyst, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 1996 to 1999
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. - Environmental Engineering (2013), University of Florida
M.S. - Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (2003), University of Florida
B.S. - Environmental Science (1999), University of Minnesota
Science and Products
Cultural Heritage at Risk Tool (CHART) Project
Evaluating the Vulnerability of Indigenous Shell Middens and Marsh Habitat Diversity to Sea Level Rise
Estuarine Shoreline Change Research Project
Estuarine and MaRsh Geology Research Project
Sea-level and Storm Impacts on Estuarine Environments and Shorelines (SSIEES)
Estuarine Shoreline, Upland Boundary, and Marsh Habitat Change Analyses for the Point Aux Chenes and Grand Bay Estuary Systems, Mississippi and Alabama
Single-beam Bathymetry Data Collected in 2022 From Point Aux Chenes Bay, Mississippi
Historical Bathymetry in the Mississippi-Alabama Coastal Region: Bathymetric Soundings, Gridded Digital Elevation Model, and Hydrographic Sheets (Ver. 2.0)
Sediment Core Microfossil Data Collected from the Coastal Marsh of Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi, USA
Single-Beam Bathymetry Data Collected in March 2021 from Grand Bay and Point Aux Chenes Bay, Mississippi/Alabama
Shorelines from High-resolution WorldView Satellite Imagery, Real-time Kinematic Global Positioning Data, and Aerial Imagery for 2013 to 2020 for Study Sites Within Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi
Multibeam Bathymetry Data Collected in 2019 from Grand Bay and Point Aux Chenes Bay Alabama/Mississippi
Historical Bathymetry in the Mississippi-Alabama Coastal Region: Bathymetric Soundings, Gridded Digital Elevation Model, and Hydrographic Sheets
Shore Proximal Marsh Sediment Deposition and Ancillary Data From Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi, From July 2018 to January 2020 (Version 2.0)
Historical Shorelines for Fire Island and Great South Bay, New York (1834 to 1875): Georeferenced Topographic Sheets and Vector Digital Data
Sedimentary Data from Grand Bay, Alabama/Mississippi, 2014-2016
Shore Proximal Sediment Deposition, Elevation, Turbidity, and Water Level Data for Four Sites in the Coastal Marsh at Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi, From October 2016 Through October 2017
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.
![Marsh shoreline with a rock breakwater in the nearshore](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/PXL_20240716_180804998-straight.jpg?itok=gLKk1jWx)
The estuarine shoreline of barrier islands along the Gulf of America 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 America are vulnerable to shoreline erosion. Structures, such as this rock breakwater, can be used to protect the shoreline from erosional waves.
![Oyster shells on the beach amongst dead tree roots and stumps](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/PXL_20240716_123920595-straight02.jpg?itok=k0rFkph8)
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.
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.
![Shoreline erosion exposes a Native American shell midden below a coastal flatwood forest](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/PXL_20240716_123306786-v1.jpg?itok=zRKaiCWh)
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](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/PXL_20240716_123208169-v2.jpg?itok=U5KhnIMm)
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.
![Animation shows tides washing away brown mud from the shoreline and eroding green marshgrass. A graph follows the tide.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/FINAL-sediment.gif?itok=oup3-w-4)
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 images of the white fossilized “shells” of six common species of coastal diatoms (microfossils).](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/diatom-collage-white-bkgr3.jpg?itok=Zso1YM_e)
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 taken from a boat](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/17CCT02-IMG_20170421_064925185_HDR-straight.jpg?itok=mWXoYFtq)
- 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.
![pastel-colored sky and soft clouds at sunrise reflecting on tidal creek by marsh grasses and distant flatwood habitat](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/IMG_20170421_064125225.jpg?itok=8_GeTR6b)
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.
Shifts in marsh erosion, migration, and wave exposure over nearly two centuries of sea-level rise in the Gulf of Mexico
Identifying and constraining marsh-type transitions in response to increasing erosion over the past century
Modeling the effects of interior headland restoration on estuarine sediment transport processes in a marine-dominant estuary
Mode and provenance of sediment deposition on a transgressive marsh
Documenting the multiple facets of a subsiding landscape from coastal cities and wetlands to the continental shelf
Coastal wetland shoreline change monitoring: A comparison of shorelines from high-resolution WorldView satellite imagery, aerial imagery, and field surveys
Lateral shoreline erosion and shore-proximal sediment deposition on a coastal marsh from seasonal, storm and decadal measurements
Impacts of sediment removal from and placement in coastal barrier island systems
A geospatially resolved wetland vulnerability index: Synthesis of physical drivers
Analysis of multi-decadal wetland changes, and cumulative impact of multiple storms 1984 to 2017
Barrier-island and estuarine-wetland physical-change assessment after Hurricane Sandy
Ground-penetrating radar and differential global positioning system data collected from Long Beach Island, New Jersey, April 2015
Coastal Wetlands Geonarrative
A Century of Change in Grand Bay, Mississippi and Alabama
Barnegat Bay, NJ Estuarine Shorelines and Rates of Change
Breton Island, LA Estuarine Shorelines and Rates of Change
Grand Bay, MS/AL Estuarine Shorelines and Rates of Change
Science and Products
Cultural Heritage at Risk Tool (CHART) Project
Evaluating the Vulnerability of Indigenous Shell Middens and Marsh Habitat Diversity to Sea Level Rise
Estuarine Shoreline Change Research Project
Estuarine and MaRsh Geology Research Project
Sea-level and Storm Impacts on Estuarine Environments and Shorelines (SSIEES)
Estuarine Shoreline, Upland Boundary, and Marsh Habitat Change Analyses for the Point Aux Chenes and Grand Bay Estuary Systems, Mississippi and Alabama
Single-beam Bathymetry Data Collected in 2022 From Point Aux Chenes Bay, Mississippi
Historical Bathymetry in the Mississippi-Alabama Coastal Region: Bathymetric Soundings, Gridded Digital Elevation Model, and Hydrographic Sheets (Ver. 2.0)
Sediment Core Microfossil Data Collected from the Coastal Marsh of Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi, USA
Single-Beam Bathymetry Data Collected in March 2021 from Grand Bay and Point Aux Chenes Bay, Mississippi/Alabama
Shorelines from High-resolution WorldView Satellite Imagery, Real-time Kinematic Global Positioning Data, and Aerial Imagery for 2013 to 2020 for Study Sites Within Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi
Multibeam Bathymetry Data Collected in 2019 from Grand Bay and Point Aux Chenes Bay Alabama/Mississippi
Historical Bathymetry in the Mississippi-Alabama Coastal Region: Bathymetric Soundings, Gridded Digital Elevation Model, and Hydrographic Sheets
Shore Proximal Marsh Sediment Deposition and Ancillary Data From Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi, From July 2018 to January 2020 (Version 2.0)
Historical Shorelines for Fire Island and Great South Bay, New York (1834 to 1875): Georeferenced Topographic Sheets and Vector Digital Data
Sedimentary Data from Grand Bay, Alabama/Mississippi, 2014-2016
Shore Proximal Sediment Deposition, Elevation, Turbidity, and Water Level Data for Four Sites in the Coastal Marsh at Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi, From October 2016 Through October 2017
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.
![Marsh shoreline with a rock breakwater in the nearshore](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/PXL_20240716_180804998-straight.jpg?itok=gLKk1jWx)
The estuarine shoreline of barrier islands along the Gulf of America 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 America are vulnerable to shoreline erosion. Structures, such as this rock breakwater, can be used to protect the shoreline from erosional waves.
![Oyster shells on the beach amongst dead tree roots and stumps](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/PXL_20240716_123920595-straight02.jpg?itok=k0rFkph8)
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.
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.
![Shoreline erosion exposes a Native American shell midden below a coastal flatwood forest](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/PXL_20240716_123306786-v1.jpg?itok=zRKaiCWh)
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](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/PXL_20240716_123208169-v2.jpg?itok=U5KhnIMm)
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.
![Animation shows tides washing away brown mud from the shoreline and eroding green marshgrass. A graph follows the tide.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/FINAL-sediment.gif?itok=oup3-w-4)
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 images of the white fossilized “shells” of six common species of coastal diatoms (microfossils).](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/diatom-collage-white-bkgr3.jpg?itok=Zso1YM_e)
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 taken from a boat](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/17CCT02-IMG_20170421_064925185_HDR-straight.jpg?itok=mWXoYFtq)
- 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.
![pastel-colored sky and soft clouds at sunrise reflecting on tidal creek by marsh grasses and distant flatwood habitat](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/IMG_20170421_064125225.jpg?itok=8_GeTR6b)
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.