UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #541

Submission information
Submission Number: 541
Submission ID: 8976
Submission UUID: 65e7a327-30e2-436b-8465-dfec2d5b7a6b

Created: Mon, 08/21/2023 - 09:35 AM
Completed: Mon, 08/21/2023 - 03:25 PM
Changed: Sat, 09/09/2023 - 01:09 PM

Remote IP address: 144.174.212.58
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No

Research Mentor Information

Laurel Field
she/her/hers
Ms.
lcf22a@fsu.edu
Graduate Student
{Empty}
{Empty}
Arts and Sciences
Department of Biological Science
Headshot 1.jpg

Additional Research Mentor(s)

{Empty}
{Empty}
{Empty}
{Empty}
Sarah Lester
she/her/hers
Dr.
slester@fsu.edu

Overall Project Details

Climate change vulnerability of the Bonaire National Marine Park in the Caribbean
marine science, climate change, coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, GIS, management, conservation
No
1
Biological Science, Computational Biology & Science, Environmental Science, Environment & Society, Geography, Environmental Science & Policy, Natural resources & Conservation, Computer Science, Oceanography
On FSU Main Campus
{Empty}
In-person
5-8 hours a week
During business hours
This research is aimed at understanding the climate vulnerability of the national marine park in Bonaire, which is a country that is part of the Dutch Caribbean. The goal is to map human uses of the marine environment, overlay the locations of important species and habitats, and evaluate historical patterns in sea surface temperature. This project does not involve lab or field work but will involve working with large and diverse datasets, mapping, and coding. Students could be involved with the following research components: literature review, data compilation and synthesis, data organization, and data analysis and mapping, based on student interests. Students working on this project will have the opportunity to gain experience with coding, analysis, and mapping in R as well as some use of ArcGIS to organize and visualize data.
Research tasks may include:
- using google earth or satellite images to estimate human uses of the marine park (e.g., fishing vessel counts, visitation to beaches based on vehicle numbers)
- collection and analysis of remote sensing data (e.g., sea surface temperature) as well as other existing data sources (e.g., benthic habitat maps, coral bleaching data, coral disease data)
- cross-referencing remotely sensed temperature data with in-situ temperature measurements (instruments in the water in Bonaire).
- review literature on topics like assessing climate vulnerability of coastal environments, methods for comparing water temperature data to remote sensing data
- map extent of important habitats, locations of field sampling and restoration projects, and human uses onto the marine park in Bonaire
It is required that the student have some familiarity with basic software like Word, Excel and the Google Earth Engine. It is required that the student have experience with scientific writing and reading scientific papers.
It will be useful if the student has some experience with R Studio or ArcGIS, but is not required. However, students working on the project should be willing to learn some technical and coding skills, based on what most interests them.
I aim to introduce mentees to new skillsets, data types, and analysis methods with the goal of identifying what component of the research is most interesting to the student. I will encourage student ownership over components of this research, while providing support and guidance as needed. I will work to keep lines of communication open and to promote interactive learning in a safe space. Further, I will provide mentees with opportunities to learn about how scientific research can inform marine policy and management in the face of climate change. I also want to encourage students to consider their educational and professional goals and can provide advice about how to reach those goals.
Lester Lab website: https://www.lester-lab.com/

UROP Program Elements

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
{Empty}
No
{Empty}
2023
https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?element_parents=elements/research_mentor_information/headshot_optional_&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=wjoq1xQZomGA6KBjQz9XLzipvJIS1z650wPxJAJdBJo