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 relationship between ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa) density and salt marsh shoreline erosion:  The hypothesis of this study is that within certain energy regimes, salt marsh shoreline erosion decreases as mussel density increases.  In order to assess the nature of this relationship, mussel demographics and energy regimes will be quantified at 12 study sites in four tributaries of the Delaware Estuary and compared to lateral inland marsh movement.  The aim is to determine the potential of enhancing ribbed mussel assemblages to stabilize shorelines under different energy regimes.  Results will help guide development of living shoreline strategies to reduce coastal erosion and permit natural accretion of the marsh surface. 

• Funding provided by NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve Graduate Research Fellowship Program (St. Jones Research Reserve, Dover DE), Society of Wetlands Scientists and the National Shellfisheries Association.

•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.

 

 

Awards

1. 2010-2011 Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve Graduate Research Fellowship: The relationship between ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa) density and salt marsh shoreline erosion.  $20,000
2. 2010 National Shelfisheries Association Carriker Student Research Grant: The relationship between ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa) density and salt marsh shoreline erosion.  $1,250
3. 2010 Society of Wetlands Scientists Student Research Grant: The relationship between ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa) density and salt marsh shoreline erosion.  $1,000
4. 2010 Altlantic Estuarine Research Society Spring Conference Travel Award. $125

Presentations

Moody, Joshua and David Bushek. The relationship between ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa) density and salt marsh shoreline erosion. Poster Presentation at the 2010 Spring Conference of the Atlantic Estuarine Research Society, Atlantic City, NJ, March 2010.

Kreeger, Danielle A., David Bushek, Angela T Padeletti, Joshua Moody, and  Laura Whalen.  Mussel Powered Living Shorelines For Salt Marsh Erosion Control.  Presentation by Danielle A. Kreeger at the 101st  National Shellfisheries Association Conference,  Savannah, Georgia, March 25, 2009.

Bushek, David, Joshua Moody, 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.

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.