People

jmoody18@eden.rutgers.edu

Education

2008-Present: Rutgers University Ecology and Evolution Masters Program
B.S. 2008 Temple University

Research Interests

The ribbed mussel Geukensia demissa is a prominent component of estuarine ecosystems, and although the important ecological functions such as increasing habitat complexity, nutrient cycling, and water column filtration have been well documented, relatively little attention has been paid to the physical structure formed by the ribbed mussels, particularly when they exist in dense assemblages.  My major research focus is examining the relationship between the ribbed mussel, G. demissa, and shoreline erosion in the Delaware Bay.  If such a relationship is found to exist, then enhancement of G. demissa’s populations could be a viable component of strategies used to protect marsh shorelines from coastal erosion.

Current Research Projects

• The Delaware Estuary Living Shoreline Initiative (DELSI) : DELSI seeks to arrest shoreline erosion by deploying natural substrates that will enable shellfish communities to become established through natural recruitment and/or directed seeding. Ultimately, DELSI should provide a new strategy to reduce shoreline erosion and protect vital marsh habitats with ribbed mussel populations, which also furnish other important ecosystem services. Funding provided by : National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, NJ DEP Coastal Management Program, and New Jersey Sea Grant.

• An assessment of population densities of Geukensia demissa in relation to areas of coastal erosion in the Delaware Estuary: The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between erosion rates, density of G. demissa along the marsh edge , and tidal energy. Results will help determine the potential role of using marsh mussels as a living shoreline fortification to help reduce erosion. Funding pending.

Presentations

Bushek, David, Joshua Moody , Danielle Kreeger, Angela Padeletti and Laura Whalen. 2008. Delaware Estuary Living Shoreline Initiative (DELSI). Poster presentation at the 11th International Conference on Shellfish Restoration, Charleston , SC , November 2008.

Joshua Moody,  Bushek, David, Danielle Kreeger, Angela Padeletti and Laura Whalen.  2009.  Delaware Estuary Living Shoreline Initiative (DELSI). Poster presentation at the 2009 Delaware Estuary Science and Environmental Summit, Cape May, NJ, January 2009.