Climate change is altering naturally fluctuating environmental conditions in coastal and estuarine ecosystems across the globe. Departures from long-term averages and ranges of environmental variables are increasingly being observed as directional changes [e.g., rising sea levels, sea surface temperatures (SST)] and less predictable periodic cycles (e.g., Atlantic or Pacific decadal oscillations) and extremes (e.g., coastal flooding, marine heatwaves). Quantifying the short- and long-term impacts of climate change on tidal marsh seascape structure and function for nekton is a critical step toward fisheries conservation and management. The multiple stressor framework provides a promising approach for advancing integrative, cross-disciplinary research on tidal marshes and food web dynamics. It can be used to quantify climate change effects on and interactions between coastal oceans (e.g., SST, ocean currents, waves) and watersheds (e.g., precipitation, river flows), tidal marsh geomorphology (e.g., vegetation structure, elevation capital, sedimentation), and estuarine and coastal nekton (e.g., species distributions, life history adaptations, predator-prey dynamics). However, disentangling the cumulative impacts of multiple interacting stressors on tidal marshes, whether the effects are additive, synergistic, or antagonistic, and the time scales at which they occur, poses a significant research challenge. This perspective highlights the key physical and ecological processes affecting tidal marshes, with an emphasis on the trophic linkages between marsh production and estuarine and coastal nekton, recommended for consideration in future climate change studies. Such studies are urgently needed to understand climate change effects on tidal marshes now and into the future.

Salt marsh ecosystems and the seascapes in which they are embedded serve as critical habitats for species harvested by fisheries (1), which provide food and economic security for hundreds of millions of people (2). Historical marsh losses coupled with increasing pressures from coastal development and climate change place these intertidal ecosystems and surrounding uplands under growing threat (3). Preventing further losses of salt marshes and associated fisheries production will require greater public awareness and difficult choices in coastal policy and management, underpinned by greater understanding of marsh function.

Climate change has far-reaching effects on human and ecological systems, requiring collaboration across sectors and disciplines to determine effective responses. To inform regional responses to climate change, decision-makers need credible and relevant information representing a wide swath of knowledge and perspectives. The southeastern U. S. State of Georgia is a valuable focal area for study because it contains multiple ecological zones that vary greatly in land use and economic activities, and it is vulnerable to diverse climate change impacts. We identified 40 important research questions that, if answered, could lay the groundwork for effective, science-based climate action in Georgia. Top research priorities were identified through a broad solicitation of candidate research questions (180 were received). A group of experts across sectors and disciplines gathered for a workshop to categorize, prioritize, and filter the candidate questions, identify missing topics, and rewrite questions. Participants then collectively chose the 40 most important questions. This cross-sectoral effort ensured the inclusion of a diversity of topics and questions (e.g., coastal hazards, agricultural production, ecosystem functioning, urban infrastructure, and human health) likely to be important to Georgia policy-makers, practitioners, and scientists. Several cross-cutting themes emerged, including the need for long-term data collection and consideration of at-risk Georgia citizens and communities. Workshop participants defined effective responses as those that take economic cost, environmental impacts, and social justice into consideration. Our research highlights the importance of collaborators across disciplines and sectors, and discussing challenges and opportunities that will require transdisciplinary solutions.

The Animal Agriculture in a Changing Climate project was formed to build capacity among Extension professionals and other livestock advisors to address climate change issues. We offer a case study of how a small team can build national capacity for new topics. We used a coordinated multiregional approach to leverage national efforts applied to locally relevant climatology, production systems, and climate issues. Key insights on overcoming challenges centered on (a) engaging audiences with local, historical trends and agricultural impacts, (b) beginning with adaptation, rather than mitigation of climate change, and (c) providing strategies for effectively communicating science during controversy. Program participants found the project valuable and substantially increased their ability and motivation to apply climate science.

Transportation infrastructure, as a major component of urban infrastructure, plays an important role in critical emergencies such as natural disasters and extreme events. The functional loss of transportation facilities, mostly highway pavement structures, negatively impacts the disaster management process and could significantly delay the evacuation and recovery process. Pavement structures are the main components of road assets that need to be maintained, rehabilitated, and reconstructed. The performance of pavement structures can be significantly affected by environmental factors. Therefore, evaluating the resilience of pavements during extreme events and natural disasters is of major interest to highway agencies and coastal stakeholders. Infrastructure resilience is an important contributor to its long term sustainability. This study focused on the state of the practice concerning resilience of pavement structures during extreme events. A decision making algorithm and risk assessment framework was evaluated to study the resilience of highway and pavement systems in critical conditions. The results of this study could further be expanded to the broader range of transportation infrastructure in response to the extreme events in urban and rural areas.

Climate change has significant implications for the future of animal agriculture. Since 2011, the goal of the ‘Animal Agriculture in a Changing Climate (AACC)‘ project has been to build capacity among US Extension educators who advise livestock and poultry producers, and to develop resources they can use to assist producers in their regions adopt climate smart practices. The AACC project team developed a database of educational resources which provided educators with regional information related to animal agriculture and climate change. The AACC project team is comprised of Extension specialists from six Land-Grant Universities in partnership with the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center (LPELC). Team members from five different US regions (Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Southwest, and Western U.S.) developed regionally-relevant educational materials, hosted workshops and conferences, and collaborated with key stakeholder organizations to disseminate climate change information. Nationally, the AACC team administered a comprehensive online course for Extension educators and technical service providers who serve livestock and poultry producers, and collaborated with the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center‘s Waste-to-Worth conferences to facilitate international involvement. The online course includes modules on climate and weather trends, and climate change impacts and adaptation, risk management, climate science, sources and mitigation of greenhouse gases, regulation and carbon marketing, and communication strategies. Through collaboration with other national climate change projects and regional USDA Climate Hubs, the AACC project team continues to develop educational materials including fact sheets, publications, and videos related to climate change in animal agriculture.

The presence of multiple sources of fecal pollution at the watershed level presents challenges to efforts aimed at identifying the influence of septic systems. In this study multiple approaches including targeted sampling and monitoring of host-specific Bacteroidales markers were used to identify the impact of septic systems on microbial water quality. Twenty four watersheds with septic density ranging from 8 to 373 septic units/km(2) were monitored for water quality under baseflow conditions over a 3-year period. The levels of the human-associated HF183 marker, as well as total and ruminant Bacteroidales, were quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Human-associated Bacteroidales yield was significantly higher in high density watersheds compared to low density areas and was negatively correlated (r = -0.64) with the average distance of septic systems to streams in the spring season. The human marker was also positively correlated with the total Bacteroidales marker, suggesting that the human source input was a significant contributor to total fecal pollution in the study area. Multivariable regression analysis indicates that septic systems, along with forest cover, impervious area and specific conductance could explain up to 74% of the variation in human fecal pollution in the spring season. The results suggest septic system impact through contributions to groundwater recharge during baseflow or failing septic system input, especially in areas with >87 septic units/km(2). This study supports the use of microbial source tracking approaches along with traditional fecal indicator bacteria monitoring and land use characterization in a tiered approach to isolate the influence of septic systems on water quality in mixed-use watersheds. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A growing body of research indicates that opinions about long-term climate change and other natural resource issues can be significantly affected by current weather conditions (e.g., outside air temperature) and other highly contingent environmental cues. Although increased severity and frequency of droughts is regarded as a likely consequence of anthropogenic climate change, little previous research has attempted to relate the experience of drought with public attitudes about water supply or water-related climate change issues. For this study, a large set ( n = 3,163) of public survey data collected across nine states of the southern United States was spatio-temporally linked with records of short-term (~12 weeks) and long-term (~5 years) drought condition at the level of each respondent’s zip code. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression models that included numerous other independent variables (environmental ideology, age, gender, education, community size, residency duration, and local annual precipitation) indicated highly significant interactions with long-term drought condition, but showed no significant effect from short-term drought condition. Conversely, attitudes about water-related climate change showed highly significant interactions with short-term drought, with weaker to no effects from long-term drought. While the finding of significant effects from short-term drought condition on opinions about future drought is broadly consistent with previous public opinion research on climate change, the finding of water supply attitudes being more responsive to longer term drought condition is, to our knowledge, a novel result. This study more generally demonstrates the methodological feasibility and applied importance of accounting for local drought condition when public opinion information is used to evaluate outreach programs for water conservation and climate change.

On-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs) are widely used in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge of the Southeastern U.S. for domestic wastewater treatment. OWTSs often are considered consumptive water use and can be potential sources of nitrogen (N) pollution for streams. This region heavily depends on surface waters for its water supply; therefore, the impact of OWTSs on surface water quality and quantity must be determined. The overall objective of this study was to determine the impact of OWTSs on the N load and baseflow in streams of watersheds in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. This article presents results of the differences in the N load and baseflow as well as other water quality indicators, such as specific conductance (SC) and chloride (Cl-), in streams of watersheds impacted by high-density (HDS) and low-density (LDS) OWTSs. Synoptic samples and discharge measurements of 24 watersheds were taken under baseflow conditions in November 2011, March 2012, July 2012, and November 2012. Mean baseflow measurements in November 2011, March 2012, and November 2012 were not statistically different between watersheds and showed no relationship with OWTS density within the watershed, but July 2012 measurements were significantly higher in the HDS watersheds and increased linearly with increasing OWTS density. SC and Cl- concentrations increased linearly with increasing OWTS density within the watershed, and nitrate (NO3-) concentrations increased linearly with increasing OWTS density above a threshold of about 100 OWTS per km(2). Results suggest a potential increase in baseflow because of the presence of OWTS effluent, which may offset the effects of impervious surfaces and maintain baseflow during drought conditions. Results also indicate a positive correlation between NO3- concentration and OWTS density within the watershed above a density of about 100 OWTSs per km(2). This study showed that OWTSs have potential positive and negative impacts on the water quality and quantity in watersheds of the Piedmont and Blue Ridge. It provides data that may be used to inform users as well as watershed planners about the potential influence of OWTSs on the N load and baseflow in streams based on the OWTS density within a watershed.

In the southeastern United States, on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs) are widely used for domestic wastewater treatment. The degree to which OWTSs represent consumptive water use has been questioned in Georgia. The goal of this study was to estimate the effect of OWTSs on streamflow in a gauged watershed in Gwinnett County, Georgia using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) watershed-scale model, which includes a new OWTS algorithm. Streamflow was modeled with and without the presence of OWTSs. The model was calibrated using data from 1 Jan. 2003 to 31 Dec. 2006 and validated from 1 Jan. 2007 to 31 Dec. 2010 using the auto-calibration tool SWAT-CUP 4. The daily and monthly streamflow Nash-Sutcliffe coefficients were 0.49 and 0.71, respectively, for the calibration period and 0.37 and 0.68, respectively, for the validation period, indicating a satisfactory fit. Analysis of water balance output variables between simulations showed a 3.1% increase in total water yield at the watershed scale and a 5.9% increase at the subbasin scale for a high-density OWTS area. The percent change in water yield between simulations was the greatest in dry years, implying that the influence of OWTSs on the water yield is greatest under drought conditions. Mean OWTS water use was approximately 5.7% consumptive, contrary to common assumptions by water planning agencies in Georgia. Results from this study may be used by OWTS users and by watershed planners to understand the influence of OWTSs on water quantity within watersheds in this region.

On-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs) are widely used in the Southeastern United States for municipal wastewater treatment. As urban and suburban populations increase, the use of OWTSs is expected to further increase. This region heavily depends on surface waters for its water supply, therefore, the impact of OWTSs on surface water quality and quantity must be investigated. Conventional OWTSs can be potential sources of N pollution for groundwater and streams that can cause human health concerns and stimulate algal growth resulting in eutrophication. The overall goal of this project is to determine the impact of OWTSs on the N load and baseflow in urbanizing watersheds of Ocmulgee and Oconee River basins in Georgia. This paper presents preliminary results of the differences in the N load and baseflow as well as other water quality indicators such as electrical conductivity (EC) and chloride (Cl) in streams of watersheds impacted by high (HD) and low density (LD) OWTSs. Synoptic samples and discharge measurements of 24 watersheds were taken 3 times per year in fall, spring, and summer under baseflow conditions. EC and Cl concentrations were significantly higher in HD OWTS watersheds for all three sampling events. N concentrations were not statistically different between HD and LD watersheds for all three sampling events. Baseflow measurements in the fall and spring were not statistically different between HD and LD watersheds, but summer measurements were significantly higher in the HD watersheds. The results indicate the presence of OWTS effluent in streams of watersheds with HD OWTSs, while N analysis indicates a reduction in concentration through dilution and denitrification. However, increased baseflow in watersheds impacted by HD OWTSs results in an increase in total N load. Further analysis is needed to accurately determine and quantify the impact of OWTSs on water quality and quantity at the watershed-scale.

While the nutrients in manure are a great source of soil fertility that benefits crop production, in watersheds with dense concentrations of livestock and poultry production, nutrient enrichment in reservoirs and estuaries that must be addressed. This paper will summarize some of the strategies used to address phosphorus enrichment from animal production and identify research needs and information gaps that hinder successful solutions. Various projects and studies conducted in the Lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier Basins that serve as the source of all of Atlanta’s drinking water will be used to summarize the extent of the issue. Some of these include nutrient management implementation efforts, modeling and establishing TMDL’s in the basins, attempts at developing and implementing nutrient trading programs and opportunities to add value and export manure nutrients from the watershed. Many of the findings will come from previously published research as will as extension and engagement programs that investigated farmer led solutions.

Information on the environmental impacts and resource consumption resulting from milk production in the southeastern United States is limited. Knowledge of how the dairy industry consumes water and electricity will help to understand how this consumption might be decreased in the future. Monitoring strategies were developed for two dairies, one pasture-based and one confined, in Georgia in order to understand water and electricity consumption on each of the dairies. The strategies were developed with a limited budget, and demonstrate cost-effective methods of estimating agricultural water and electricity consumption using current meters, non-invasive flow meters, and existing water and utility meters. Annually, the confined dairy used 6.0 gal of water per lb of energy corrected milk production or 149,251 gal per cow, as well as 0.047 kWh/lb of energy corrected milk production or 1,163 kWh/cow. The pasture-based dairy used 15.8 gal of water per lb of energy corrected milk production or 176,128 gal/cow, as well as 0.048 kWh/lb of energy corrected milk production or 541 kWh/cow. Removing irrigation from these annual consumption calculations shows that the pasture-based dairy consumed 1.9 gal of water per lb of energy corrected milk production or 21,199 gal/cow, as well as 0.024 kWh of electricity per lb of energy corrected milk production or 265 kWh/cow, while the confined dairy used 3.8 gall lb of energy corrected milk production or 93,067 gal/cow, as well as 0.043 kWh/lb of energy corrected milk production or 1,073 kWh/cow.The results reported in this study are not intended to be used to compare confinement and pasture-based dairy systems. However, the water and electricity consumption data from each dairy scaled per cow provides standards to predict the water and electricity consumption of similar dairies based on the number of cattle on the farm in question. Also, the data in this study contribute to the available literature that lists the total water and electricity consumption of dairies, and provides previously unreported details regarding what composes this consumption.

The biological and physical processes of an intensively-managed rotational pasture-based dairy and a confinement fed dairy in the southeastern United States were simulated with the Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM) to evaluate management effects on greenhouse gas emissions, soil carbon sequestration, carbon footprint, nitrate leaching, ammonia volatilization, erosion, phosphorus runoff, and phosphorus accumulation in the soil. Edge-of-field erosion and phosphorus runoff were less for the pasture-based dairy per unit of land and per unit of milk produced, but nitrate leaching was greater. Ammonia emissions were greater from the confinement dairy because of the greater handling of manure. Greenhouse gas emissions per cow were greater on the confined dairy, but with greater milk production per cow, the carbon footprint of milk produced was similar to that of the pasture-based dairy. Considering the potential soil carbon sequestration following the conversion of crop land to perennial grassland, the carbon footprint of the milk produced by the pasture-based dairy was slightly less than that of the confinement dairy. The results of this study were generally consistent with similar simulation studies done in the northeastern US with variations due to regional differences in climate, soil type, and agronomic practices. Simulated changes in production practices predicted that increasing milk production through improved animal management or feeding more corn decreased the carbon footprint of milk produced by the pasture-based dairy, while decreasing the inorganic nitrogen fertilizer application rate or raising replacement heifers on the farm had little effect. On the confinement dairy, covering the manure storage and flaring the biogas decreased the carbon footprint, using higher producing, pure-bred Holstein cows or producing less forage on the farm increased the footprint, and eliminating free-stall barns and placing all cattle on pasture had little effect on the footprint. The IFSM was capable of adapting to the climate and production practices of the southeastern US, but further improvements could be made to better represent the cropping practices used in this region. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Although production of activated carbon, catalytic gasification of poultry litter char, combustion, and physical treatment of poultry litter using screening have been thoroughly studied, yet eco-friendly and value added utilization of litter has not been adopted by the poultry industry. This paper examines whether or not screening and pyrolysis can be combined for value added utilization of poultry litter. Poultry litter was sampled from three commercial farms and each of the samples was divided into nine subsamples. These subsamples were randomly given nine treatments as follows: one control, screen #5 coarse fraction, screen #5 fine fraction, screen #10 coarse fraction, screen #10 fine fraction, screen #18 coarse fraction, screen #18 fine fraction, screen #20 coarse fraction, and screen #20 fine fraction. All coarse and fine fractions were pyrolyzed in a batch reactor at 500°C under a nitrogen flow rate of 2 lpm to produce char and condensate. The condensate was separated into three fractions based on density. Bomb calorimeter, proximate, and ultimate analysis were performed on un-pyrolyzed but screen- treated samples, char, and three phases of condensate. The results showed that the pyrolysis of the coarse fraction (screen#20) produced 44.5% char which retained 43.5% of total feedstock energy. Overall, the pyrolysis products captured 57.2% of total feedstock energy and 53.8% of total feedstock carbon. The light phase of the condensate (4.94% yields on dry biomass) had a calorific value of 34.83MJ/kg.

Watershed Academy trainings offer an overview of watershed management including monitoring, planning, and restoration to extension agents, local, state, and federal representatives, nonprofit and watershed stakeholders, and natural resource professionals. To date, ten Watershed Academies have been held in six states that have trained over 200 people. Classroom lectures are followed by field tours where students get their feet wet and have handson experiences in streams. Watershed science basics such as hydrology and stream ecology are introduced first to improve understanding of complex ecosystem interactions. Next, an overview of natural resource based planning is presented that emphasizes case studies and lessons learned. Solutions and on-the-ground practices for stormwater management and watershed restoration follow the planning session to provide examples of watershed protection, improvement, and restoration. Lastly, effective communication and education tips are shared among the participants to encourage and empower them to use the knowledge they gain during this training. The Watershed Academy is a multi-state partnership of the Southern Region Water Quality Extension Program, funded in part by USDA NIFA.