Hongqing Wang is a Research Ecologist at WARC.
Hongqing Wang's expertise is ecosystem modeling coupled with field observation, application of remote sensing, GIS, GPS and spatial statistics. His current research areas include integrated modeling, monitoring and detecting changes in hydrodynamics, sediment transport, morphology, water quality, landscape, surface elevation, vegetation (composition/distribution and productivity), biological population dynamics (e.g., oysters), and soil biogeochemistry (C, N, P, S) in wetland ecosystems due to natural disturbances (e.g., climate change, land subsidence, storms) and human activities (e.g., land use, water management, ecosystem restoration). Wang is one of the developers of Wetland Morphology Model for Louisiana's 2012 Coastal Master Plan for coastal Louisiana ecosystem restoration, sponsored by State of Louisiana's Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. He has also been involved in monitoring programs such as Coastwide Reference Monitoring System and Louisiana Coastal Area program for adaptive management. He is currently an Associate Editor for Wetlands.
BACKGROUND
Previous Professional Positions
Microcomputer Systems Specialist, April – October 2011: Five Rivers Services, LLC/National Wetlands Research Center / USGS, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Microcomputer Systems Specialist, July 2009 – March 2011: IAP World Services/National Wetlands Research Center / USGS, Lafayette & Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Assistant Professor Research, February 2007 – June 2009: Center for Louisiana Water Studies, Institute of Coastal Ecology and Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana.
Research Scientist, February 2004 – January 2007: Environmental Cooperative Science Center (ECSC), NOAA, and Environmental Sciences Institute (ESI), Florida A&M University, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida.
Postdoctoral Research Associate, November 2002 – January 2004: Department of Geography and Environmental Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).
Professional Association Memberships
Ecological Society of America (ESA) Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) American Ecological Engineering Society (AEES) American Geophysical Union (AGU) International Society for Ecological Modeling (ISEM) ASPRS: The Imaging & Geospatial Information Society International Association of Landscape Ecology (IALE)
Science and Products
Impacts of coastal and watershed changes on upper estuaries: causes and implications of wetland ecosystem transitions along the US Atlantic and Gulf Coasts
Model Improvements for Louisiana’s 2023 Coastal Master Plan
Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment
Collecting Ecological Data and Models of Living Shoreline Restoration Projects
Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment at Dauphin Island
Modeling Tidal Freshwater Forested Wetlands (TFFW) Habitat Changes for Land Management
Predicting the Long-Term Impact of Hurricane Sandy on Spatial Patterns of Wetland Morphology in Salt Marshes of Jamaica Bay, New York
Integrated Modeling of Coastal Processes and Linkages to Management Applications
Forecasting Biological Vulnerabilities: Modeling Jamaica Bay Wetland Morphology under Future Hurricanes
Influence of Sea-Level Rise on Wetland Vegetation Community Structure, Primary Productivity, Organic Matter Decomposition and Carbon Storage
Long-Term Carbon Burial in Marshes of the Mississippi River Delta
Topo-bathymetric survey at Gandys Beach, New Jersey, 2018
Soil property and geochronology (137Cs and 210Pb) data (2014) in salt marsh soils of Jamaica Bay Estuary, New York City
Topographic and bathymetry survey (2019) along the Chincoteague Living Shoreline, Virginia
Modeling impacts of drought-induced salinity intrusion on carbon fluxes and storage in tidal freshwater forested wetlands
Field observation of wind waves (2019) along the Chincoteague Living Shoreline, Virginia
Field observation of current velocities (2019) along the Chincoteague Living Shoreline, Virginia
Simulated Methane and Nitrous Oxide Emissions under Drought-induced Saltwater Intrusion in Tidal Freshwater Forested Wetlands
Field observation of current velocities (2018) in Gandy?s Beach, New Jersey with living shoreline structures
Assessing habitat change and migration of barrier islands
Landscape position-based habitat modeling for the Alabama Barrier Island feasibility assessment at Dauphin Island
Seagrass habitat suitability modeling for the Alabama Barrier Island restoration assessment at Dauphin Island
Oyster habitat suitability modeling for the Alabama Barrier Island restoration assessment at Dauphin Island
Modeling impacts of saltwater intrusion on methane and nitrous oxide emissions in tidal forested wetlands
Monitoring of wave, current, and sediment dynamics along the Chincoteague living shoreline, Virginia
Towards a unified drag coefficient formula for quantifying wave energy reduction by salt marshes
Are existing modeling tools useful to evaluate outcomes in mangrove restoration and rehabilitation projects? A minireview
Modeling impacts of drought-induced salinity intrusion on carbon dynamics in tidal freshwater forested wetlands
Data-driven modeling of wind waves in upper Delaware Bay with living shorelines
Assessing wave attenuation with rising sea levels for sustainable oyster reef-based living shorelines
Assessing habitat change and migration of barrier islands
Assessment of wave attenuation, current patterns, and sediment deposition and erosion during winter storms by living shoreline structures in Gandys Beach, New Jersey
Modeling structural mechanics of oyster reef self-organization including environmental constraints and community interactions
Modeling soil porewater salinity in mangrove forests (Everglades, Florida, USA) impacted by hydrological restoration and a warming climate
2023 Coastal master plan: Model improvement plan, ICM-wetlands, vegetation, and soil
Science and Products
- Science
Impacts of coastal and watershed changes on upper estuaries: causes and implications of wetland ecosystem transitions along the US Atlantic and Gulf Coasts
Estuaries and their surrounding wetlands are coastal transition zones where freshwater rivers meet tidal seawater. As sea levels rise, tidal forces move saltier water farther upstream, extending into freshwater wetland areas. Human changes to the surrounding landscape may amplify the effects of this tidal extension, impacting the resiliency and function of the upper estuarine wetlands. One visible...Model Improvements for Louisiana’s 2023 Coastal Master Plan
The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s Coastal Master Plan is a blueprint for responding to environmental changes. As part of the agency’s continued engagement, USGS supports model developments and improvements for the 2023 Coastal Master Plan.Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment
This project is a collaborative effort between the USGS, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the State of Alabama funded by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to investigate viable, sustainable restoration options that protect and restore the natural resources of Dauphin Island, Alabama. The project is focused on restoration options that protect and restore habitat and living...Collecting Ecological Data and Models of Living Shoreline Restoration Projects
Developing effective living shoreline restoration projects that can withstand hurricanes and storms requires a better understanding of how restoration structures reduce the impact of wave and current energy on marsh edges in estuaries and bays. Without this knowledge, existing living shoreline projects and adaptive management measures are more likely to fail, decreasing the possibility for long...Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment at Dauphin Island
Dauphin Island, Alabama, is the only barrier island providing protection to much of Alabama's coastal natural resources. Severely impacted by repeated extreme events, like Hurricane Katrina and Deepwater Horizon oil spill, USGS and partners are conducting a joint study to evaluate the feasibility of certain alternatives to increase resiliency and sustainability of the island.Modeling Tidal Freshwater Forested Wetlands (TFFW) Habitat Changes for Land Management
As tidal freshwater forested wetlands - TFFWs - are influenced by salinty due to salt water intrusion, they may experience changes in plant community composition, growth, and productivity. Models are needed to predict vegetation community change or dieback, as well as changes in carbon sequestration and storage due to changing climate, drought, changes in freshwater discharge, elevated carbon...Predicting the Long-Term Impact of Hurricane Sandy on Spatial Patterns of Wetland Morphology in Salt Marshes of Jamaica Bay, New York
USGS scientists are working with collaborators to understand how Hurricane Sandy impacted wetlands in Jamaica Bay, New York.Integrated Modeling of Coastal Processes and Linkages to Management Applications
Coastal wetlands provide valuable ecosystem services such as wave attenuation, surge reduction, carbon sequestration, wastewater treatment, and critical habitats for endangered fish and wildlife species. However, wetland loss threatens the capacity of coastal wetlands to provide these ecosystem services.Forecasting Biological Vulnerabilities: Modeling Jamaica Bay Wetland Morphology under Future Hurricanes
In light of the increase in hurricane frequency and intensity, there is concern about the resilience and sustainability of coastal wetlands. Models can be used to investigatethe impacts of future hurricanes on wetland morphology along the northeast coasts in areas like Jamaica Bay, New York, an area impacted by Hurricane Sandy.Influence of Sea-Level Rise on Wetland Vegetation Community Structure, Primary Productivity, Organic Matter Decomposition and Carbon Storage
This study will employ a space for time substitution to show long-term effects of rising sea-level and increasing salinity on vegetation community structure, primary production and decomposition. Productivity and decomposition rates will be estimated for four wetland plant community types defined by salinity zones and dominant plant species.Long-Term Carbon Burial in Marshes of the Mississippi River Delta
Wetlands along the Gulf of Mexico coast play an important role in the global carbon cycle, but as they rapidly convert to open water, their potential for carbon storage is declining. USGS is working to provide accurate, long-term marsh soil carbon sequestration rates. - Data
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Topo-bathymetric survey at Gandys Beach, New Jersey, 2018
This Data Release contains field topo-bathymetric survey data in a selected saltmarsh shoreline along Gandys Beach, New Jersey, where constructed oyster reefs (CORs, aka oyster castles) were installed to protect the shoreline and enhance habitat for oyster and other species. Oyster castles were constructed as a part of a living shoreline project along Gandys Beach in 2016 in response to the damagSoil property and geochronology (137Cs and 210Pb) data (2014) in salt marsh soils of Jamaica Bay Estuary, New York City
This dataset contains soil property and geochronology (Cesium-137 and lead-210 dating) data from soil cores collected in August 2014 in salt marshes of Jamaica Bay Estuary, New York City.Topographic and bathymetry survey (2019) along the Chincoteague Living Shoreline, Virginia
This dataset contains field topographic and bathymetric data measured during February to April 2019 across oyster castles and mud flats along the Chincoteague Living Shoreline, Virginia, where constructed oyster reefs (CORs, aka oyster castles) were installed to protect the shoreline and enhance habitat for oyster and other species.Modeling impacts of drought-induced salinity intrusion on carbon fluxes and storage in tidal freshwater forested wetlands
A biogeochemistry model was developed to examine plant gross primary productivity (GPP), net primary productivity (NPP), plant respiration, soil respiration, soil organic carbon sequestration rate and storage under scenarios of drought and normal conditions at Tidal Freshwater Forested Wetlands (TFFW) sites along the Waccamaw River and Savannah River in the Southeastern United States.Field observation of wind waves (2019) along the Chincoteague Living Shoreline, Virginia
This dataset contains measured (interval = 0.5 hour) wave height, peak wave period, water level, and water depth during March 1 to May 1, 2019, at five wave gage locations along the Chincoteague Living Shoreline, Virginia. These wave gages were sampled continuously at 10 Hz to take 20-min bursts every 30 min. These data were used for the analysis of wave attenuation along the oyster-reef-based livField observation of current velocities (2019) along the Chincoteague Living Shoreline, Virginia
This dataset contains measured current velocity during March 1 to May 2, 2019, at eleven locations along the Chincoteague Living Shoreline, Virginia.Simulated Methane and Nitrous Oxide Emissions under Drought-induced Saltwater Intrusion in Tidal Freshwater Forested Wetlands
This dataset contains the result of simulated daily emissions of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from the soils in Tidal Freshwater Forested Wetlands (TFFW) along the Waccamaw River (SC, USA) and the Savannah River (GA and SC, USA) under drought-induced saltwater intrusion using a process-driven biogeochemistry model.Field observation of current velocities (2018) in Gandy?s Beach, New Jersey with living shoreline structures
This dataset contains measured (interval=20 minutes) current velocity during February 1 to April 4, 2018 at seven locations along the Gandy's Beach, New Jersey in upper Delaware Bay. These data were used for the analysis of current pattern dynamics along the coast in upper Delaware Bay with oyster-reef based living shoreline structure for shoreline protection.Assessing habitat change and migration of barrier islands
A barrier island habitat prediction model was used to forecast barrier island habitats (for example, beach, dune, intertidal marsh, and woody vegetation) for Dauphin Island, Alabama, based on potential island configurations associated with a variety of restoration measures and varying future conditions of storminess and sea level (Enwright and others, 2020). This USGS data release contains five haLandscape position-based habitat modeling for the Alabama Barrier Island feasibility assessment at Dauphin Island
A barrier island habitat prediction model was used to forecast barrier island habitats (for example, beach, dune, intertidal marsh, and woody vegetation) for Dauphin Island, Alabama, based on potential island configurations associated with a variety of restoration measures and varying future conditions of storminess and sea-levels. In this study, we loosely coupled a habitat model framework with dSeagrass habitat suitability modeling for the Alabama Barrier Island restoration assessment at Dauphin Island
A barrier island seagrass habitat suitability index (HSI) model was developed for the Alabama barrier island restoration assessment at Dauphin Island. Shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) was selected as the representative species for seagrass community near Dauphin Island waters since H. wrightii is the dominant species (>62%) of seagrass communities in this area due to its rapid growth and toleranceOyster habitat suitability modeling for the Alabama Barrier Island restoration assessment at Dauphin Island
A spatially explicit oyster habitat suitability index (HSI) model was developed for the Alabama barrier island restoration assessment at Dauphin Island. Based on previous oyster habitat suitability studies, seven water quality variables were selected and their relationships with habitat suitability were developed and incorporated into the oyster HSI model for Dauphin Island restoration assessment: - Publications
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Modeling impacts of saltwater intrusion on methane and nitrous oxide emissions in tidal forested wetlands
Emissions of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from soils to the atmosphere can offset the benefits of carbon sequestration for climate change mitigation. While past study has suggested that both CH4 and N2O emissions from tidal freshwater forested wetlands (TFFW) are generally low, the impacts of coastal droughts and drought-induced saltwater intrusion on CH4 and N2O emissions remain unclear.AuthorsHongqing Wang, Zhaohua Dai, Ken Krauss, Carl C. Trettin, Gregory B. Noe, Andrew J. Burton, Eric WardMonitoring of wave, current, and sediment dynamics along the Chincoteague living shoreline, Virginia
Nature-based features, also called living shorelines, are increasingly applied in coastal protection and restoration. However, the processes and mechanisms (feedbacks and interactions) of wave attenuation, current velocity change, and sediment deposition and erosion along the living shoreline remain unclear, thus limiting the adaptive management of living shoreline restoration projects for coastalAuthorsHongqing Wang, Qin Chen, Nan Wang, William D. Capurso, Lukasz M. Niemoczynski, Ling Zhu, Gregg A. Snedden, Kevin S. Holcomb, Bowdoin W. Lusk, Carol W. Wilson, Sean R. CornellTowards a unified drag coefficient formula for quantifying wave energy reduction by salt marshes
Coastal regions are susceptible to increasing flood risks amid climate change. Coastal wetlands play an important role in mitigating coastal hazards. Vegetation exerts a drag force to the flow and dampens storm surges and wind waves. The prediction of wave attenuation by vegetation typically relies on a pre-determined drag coefficient CD. Existing CD formulas are subject to vegetation biomechanicaAuthorsLing Zhu, Qin Chen, Yan Ding, Navid H. Jafari, Hongqing Wang, Bradley D. JohnsonAre existing modeling tools useful to evaluate outcomes in mangrove restoration and rehabilitation projects? A minireview
Ecosystem modeling is a critical process for understanding complex systems at spatiotemporal scales needed to conserve, manage, and restore ecosystem services (ESs). Although mangrove wetlands are sources of ESs worth billions of dollars, there is a lack of modeling tools. This is reflected in our lack of understanding of mangroves’ functional and structural attributes. Here, we discuss the “stateAuthorsVictor H. Rivera-Monroy, Xiaochen Zhao, Hongqing Wang, Zuo G. XueModeling impacts of drought-induced salinity intrusion on carbon dynamics in tidal freshwater forested wetlands
Tidal freshwater forested wetlands (TFFW) provide critical ecosystem services including essential habitat for a variety of wildlife species and significant carbon sinks for atmospheric carbon dioxide. However, large uncertainties remain concerning the impacts of climate change on the magnitude and variability of carbon fluxes and storage across a range of TFFW. In this study, we developed a procesAuthorsHongqing Wang, Zhaohua Dai, Carl C. Trettin, Ken Krauss, Gregory B. Noe, Andrew J. Burton, Camille Stagg, Eric WardData-driven modeling of wind waves in upper Delaware Bay with living shorelines
Living shoreline projects have been built to preserve coastal ecosystems under future climate change and sea level rise. To quantify the wave power variation across living shorelines, the wave characteristics around the constructed oyster reefs (CORs) in upper Delaware Bay were investigated in this study. Wave parameters seaward and shoreward of CORs were recorded by wave gauges in early 2018. FouAuthorsNan Wang, Qin Chen, Ling Zhu, Hongqing WangAssessing wave attenuation with rising sea levels for sustainable oyster reef-based living shorelines
In densely populated coastal areas with sea-level rise (SLR), protecting the shorelines against erosion due to the wave impact is crucial. Along with many engineered structures like seawalls and breakwaters, there are also green structures like constructed oyster reefs (CORs) that can not only attenuate the incident waves but also grow and maintain pace with SLR. However, there is a lack of data aAuthorsReza Salatin, Hongqing Wang, Qin Chen, Ling ZhuAssessing habitat change and migration of barrier islands
Barrier islands are dynamic environments that experience gradual change from waves, tides, and currents, and rapid change from extreme storms. These islands are expected to change drastically over the coming century due to accelerated sea-level rise and changes in frequency and intensity of storm events. The dynamic nature of barrier islands coupled with the importance of these environments make iAuthorsNicholas Enwright, Lei Wang, P. Soupy Dalyander, Hongqing Wang, Michael Osland, Rangley C. Mickey, Robert L. Jenkins, Elizabeth GodseyAssessment of wave attenuation, current patterns, and sediment deposition and erosion during winter storms by living shoreline structures in Gandys Beach, New Jersey
This study was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey and Northeastern University in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Nature Conservancy. This report summarizes field investigation and analysis of waves, current patterns, and sediment deposition and erosion along the Gandys Beach, New Jersey, salt marsh vegetated shoreline and mudflat, where living shoreline structuresAuthorsHongqing Wang, William D. Capurso, Qin Chen, Ling Zhu, Lukasz M. Niemoczynski, Gregg SneddenModeling structural mechanics of oyster reef self-organization including environmental constraints and community interactions
Self-organization is a process of establishing and reinforcing local structures through feedbacks between internal population dynamics and external factors. In reef-building systems, substrate is collectively engineered by individuals that also occupy it and compete for space. Reefs are constrained spatially by the physical environment, and by mortality, which reduces production but exposes substrAuthorsSimeon Yurek, Mitchell Eaton, Romain Lavaud, R. Wilson Laney, Don DeAngelis, William E. Pine, Megan K. LaPeyre, Julien Martin, Peter C Frederick, Hongqing Wang, Michael R. Lowe, Fred Johnson, Edward V. Camp, Rua MordecaiModeling soil porewater salinity in mangrove forests (Everglades, Florida, USA) impacted by hydrological restoration and a warming climate
Hydrology is a critical driver controlling mangrove wetlands structural and functional attributes at different spatial and temporal scales. Yet, human activities have negatively affected hydrology, causing mangrove diebacks and coverage loss worldwide. In fact, the assessment of mangrove water budgets, impacted by natural and human disturbances, is limited due to a lack of long-term data and inforAuthorsXiaochen Zhao, Victor H. Rivera-Monroy, Hongqing Wang, Zuo Xue, Cheng-Feng Tsai, C. S. Willson, E. Castañeda-Moya, Robert R. Twilley2023 Coastal master plan: Model improvement plan, ICM-wetlands, vegetation, and soil
As part of the model improvement effort for the 2023 Coastal Master Plan, the wetland processes captured by the morphology and vegetation models used during previous master plans were reevaluated to assess how Integrated Compartment Model (ICM) subroutines could be improved. This process considered technical reviews, comments, and suggested improvements provided by model developers, advisory groupAuthorsMelissa M. Baustian, Denise Reed, Jenneke Visser, Scott M. Duke-Sylvester, Gregg Snedden, Hongqing Wang, Kristin DeMarco, Madeline R. Foster-Martinez, Leigh Anne Sharp, Tommy E. McGinnis, Elizabeth Jarrell - News