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Jul11

MS Project Presentation - Environmental Science and Policy

Jul 11, 2025, 1:00 - 2:30 PM

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Jul14

FOCUS Camp and Academy

Jul 14, 2025, 9:00 AM - Jul 18, 2025, 5:00 PM

Jul14

Dissertation Defense - Tianshu Yang - Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science

Jul 14, 2025, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Exploratory Hall, Room 2312 

Virtual Meeting link: email tyang4@gmu.edu

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MS Project Presentation - Environmental Science and Policy

Jul 11, 2025, 1:00 - 2:30 PM

Register in advance for this meeting: Registration Link
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

MS Project
Department of Environmental Science and Policy
College of Science
George Mason University

 

Candidate: Bo Tang
Presentation Date and Time: July 11, 2025 at 1:00pm
Presentation Location: Virtual via Zoom
Title: Assessing the Impact of Environmental Variability and Watershed Characteristics on Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) in Potomac River Embayments


Project Director: Dr. Thomas Reid Nelson
Committee: Dr. Esther Peters, Dr. Matthew Rice

 

 

ABSTRACT

 

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) plays a critical role in estuarine ecosystems by supporting biodiversity. This study examines SAV dynamics in three Potomac River embayments from 2012-2022, investigating relationships of SAV coverage with land use and land cover (LULC) patterns and precipitation variability. The embayments represent a development gradient from highly urbanized to predominantly forested watersheds. SAV data were compared with LULC and precipitation data. Results reveal contrasting responses to the 2018 extreme rainfall: Hunting Creek lost all SAV, Gunston Cove showed gradual decline, and Kanes Creek remained stable. These patterns suggest potential relationships between watershed development and SAV resilience that warrant further study.

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