Spatiotemporal dynamics of swash-zone benthic invertebrates and beach characteristics at three regions of the Texas coast 2023-2025

Benthic invertebrate communities and sediment grain size were sampled in the swash zone at beaches in three regions along the Texas coast. Water quality (salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity) in the adjacent sea water, bird abundance within and adjacent to the swash zone, beach height, and beach width were also measured. Galveston and Sargent regions were sampled every two-months from February 2023, and South Padre Island was sampled from February 2024. The purpose of the sampling was to be able to determine the effects of beach nourishment on benthic invertebrates. Two “close” reference beaches (<10 km [<6.2 mi] from the nourished area) and one distant reference beach (>10 km [>6.2 mi]) were sampled per nourishment beach within each beach region. Beach nourishment is scheduled to occur at South Padre Island in November 2024, and at Galveston Beach and Sargent Beach regions in 2025.