Project Description: This project intends to help the public understand how off-road vehicles can impact the beach, dunes, and vegetation on Fire Island. This will also help park mangers use science to implement driving regulations in the park. This project is needed to provide input to management regarding aspects of the natural vectors of change that will affect the site and situation of the foredune system evolution along FIIS, and thus assist in guiding proactive steps to limit ORV impacts. The Park is seeking scientific knowledge about the dimensions and sites of change to better craft the no-drive zone regulations both in general and site-specific situations. This knowledge can be gained through an understanding of the patterns of change in the recent past and the drivers for those changes. With that knowledge, it will be possible to identify the likely causes for impacts to the foredune and the likely locations for those impacts. Further, an improved understanding of the present and potential future impacts will allow for an adjustment of existing regulations to support the maintenance of the foredune system and its topographical, ecological, and anthropogenic benefits.
Lead Principal Investigator: Dr. Norbert Psuty, Rutgers University
Partner Institution: Rutgers University
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Federal Agency Technical Contact: Jordan Raphael
Project Type: Research
Project Discipline: Natural Resources
Project Sub-Discipline(s): Biological (Ecology, Fish, Wildlife, Vegetation, T&E), Natural Hazards & Environmental Quality (NRDA), Water (FW & Marine)
Start Year: 2020
End Year: 2021
Initial Funding Amount: $31,724.00
Federal Grant Number: P20AC00938
National Park or Protected Area: Fire Island (NPS)
Products Associated with this Project:
- No products found.