Coastal Ecogeomorphic Systems Lab
The Coastal Ecogeomorphic Systems (CES) Lab examines the geomorphic processes shaping coastal and aeolian landscapes and how human activities influence their evolution, function, and resilience. The lab emphasizes applied coastal science, with particular attention to beach nourishment, dune restoration, and other management interventions that modify natural sedimentary systems.
Research integrates field- and laboratory-based investigations with remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and process-based modeling to examine interactions among waves, tides, wind, sediment transport, groundwater, ecological systems, and human modifications on coastal beach and dune environments. This integrated approach allows the lab to evaluate how natural processes and management decisions interact to shape coastal form and long-term stability.
The lab supports undergraduate and graduate research projects focused on beach–dune morphologic evolution, the effectiveness of dune restoration and stabilization efforts, the ecological role of dune growth and vegetation, and the influence of coastal topography on habitat use, including sea turtle nesting behavior. Additional work examines how anthropogenic modifications—such as nourishment, infrastructure, and recreational use—affect sediment transport and coastal resilience. Collectively, this research informs coastal management, restoration planning, and resilience strategies across developed and natural shorelines.
CES Lab is actively seeking motivated graduate and undergraduate students interested in coastal geomorphology and human–environment systems!