Date of Award

5-2025

Degree Type

Thesis-Restricted

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Program

Biological Sciences

Department

Biological Sciences

Major Professor

Nicola Anthony

Second Advisor

Traci Erin Cox

Third Advisor

Martin O'Connell

Fourth Advisor

Julie Whitbeck

Abstract

High wave energy degrades shoreline habitat between Lake Salvador and Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (JELA), Louisiana. JELA constructed a northern breakwater in 2004, and a southern breakwater in 2024 to protect the shoreline and promote restoration of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). This study analyzes Sentinel-2 imagery to quantify coastal loss along the JELA-Lake Salvador using the Change Polygon Approach, assessing annual, cumulative and major storm event-associated shoreline changes for January 2017-2025. SAV cover, nekton diversity, wave energy, and turbidity were measured before-and-after southern breakwater construction to monitor ecological and environmental outcomes. The JELA-Lake Salvador shoreline has lost ~0.31 km2 since 2017, with the southern extent deteriorating 2.64x more than the long-term protected northern extent. Major storm events are associated with ~70% of total net loss. The southern SAV habitat remains suitable for natural recruitment. This study informs JELA managers of recent shoreline dynamics, supporting adaptive management to promote and sustain SAV and protect the vulnerable wetland shoreline.

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The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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