Coastal Wetlands StudiesAndrew Balder
2026 The Garden Club of America Award in Coastal Wetlands Studies
Profiling Coastal Atlantic White Cedar Swamps Along the Northern Gulf Coast
This project will investigate the current condition and environmental drivers of a globally threatened wetland ecosystem, remnant Atlantic white cedar swamps, along the Gulf Coast. Because more than 95% of historical cedar swamps have been lost, and the remaining stands are restricted to low-lying coastal areas, they are particularly vulnerable to climate-driven stressors such as sea level rise and increased saltwater intrusion. This study aims to identify the environmental factors that influence Atlantic white cedar persistence and distribution across their historical southern extent through forest surveys, soil analysis, and spatial data analysis to identify key hydrologic, edaphic, and geomorphic conditions associated with cedar-dominated wetlands.
School: Auburn University
The Garden Club of America Award in Coastal Wetlands Studies
To promote, expand, and enrich the body of research concerning the coast by actively supporting graduate students in the field of coastal wetlands science.
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