Storm surges, Waves and Vegetation Surveys in Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, MD, USA (2021-2022)

These datasets include measurements of wave conditions, and vegetation bio-mechanic characteristics (biomass, stem height, diameter, and density) during the period of (2021-2023) that were measured in the field during extreme events, regular tidal cycles, and over different seasons. This dataset provides the information for the campaigns in Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, Maryland, USA. Measurements were carried out with RBR D-wave sensors; vegetation surveys included the measurements of vegetation height, diameter and stem spacing using randomly placed 0.25 m2 quadrats on the ground surface. The sensors, and vegetation measurement locations are approximate. The team measured 1) the percent cover of each individual species, 2) canopy height, stem diameter and density, and 3) waves.
This fieldwork is part of the project “EESLR 2019: Quantifying the benefits of natural and nature-based features in Maryland’s Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays to inform conservation and management under future sea level rise scenarios” funded by NOAA (Award# NA19NOS4780179). The project is a collaboration between George Mason University, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The overall goal of the project is to quantify the wave attenuation and flood reduction benefits of marshes, SAV and other natural and nature-based features (NNBF) along the shores of Maryland’s Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays. This project will inform management actions by DNR to maintain or enhance the ecosystem services of marshes and other natural features on state-owned lands; re-evaluate Chesapeake Bay SAV restoration goals; improve existing conservation prioritization tools; and provide relatable, local examples to advance efforts by DNR, TNC, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) and others to promote the use of NNBF in the county and municipal adaptation plans.