Joel Carr, Ph.D.
Joel is a research ecologist with the coastal processes group currently examining and modelling biotic and abiotic processes controlling marsh, mangrove and seagrass resilience to climate change.
Joel is a research ecologist who provides modeling expertise and insight into coastal system dynamics ranging from building small detailed processed-based models to development and application broader more integrative models. These models are used to generate novel hypotheses, understand complex interacting behaviors within and across systems, and demonstrate potential future outcomes.
Professional Experience
2016 – present Research Ecologist, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
2019 – 2020 Lecturer John Hopkins University AAP, Hydrology and Water Resources
2016 – 2020 Visiting Scholar, University of Virginia, Department of Environmental Sciences
2015-2016 Research Ecologist, Post doc, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
2011-2015 Research Scientist, Post doc, University of Virginia
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Aug. 2011 University of Virginia Dept. of Environmental Science, Dissertation: Stability and Resilience of Seagrasses in Shallow Coastal Bays
M.A.T. May 2005 Pacific University. Endorsements: Advanced Mathematics and Integrated Science, High School and Middle Level
M.S. January 2002 University of Virginia Dept. of Environmental Science, Thesis: The Effects of Flocculation on Contaminant Sorption during Resuspension Events on the Continental Shelf
B.A. May 1999 University of Virginia, Majors: Mathematics, Environmental Science
Science and Products
Progress Through Partnerships - Chesapeake Bay Vertical Land Motion Project
The Response of Coastal Wetlands to Sea-level Rise: Understanding how Macroscale Drivers Influence Local Processes and Feedbacks
The response of coastal wetlands to sea-level rise: Understanding how macroscale drivers influence local processes and feedbacks
Virginia Coast Reserve Long Term Ecological Research VII
Seagrass Vulnerability to Environmental Conditions Under Changing Temperature Regimes
Vulnerability Assessment of Available Habitat for Wintering Black Ducks within the Refuge System in the Chesapeake Bay
When and where could rising seas cross thresholds for initiating wetland drowning across conterminous United States?
Environmental and Vegetation Data from Marsh-Forest Transgression Experiment at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, MD, USA
Water levels (November 11 2016 through November 11 2017) for four wells and Light intensity data (October 1 2015 through September 2019): from marsh to upland forest, for Moneystump Marsh, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland
Mangrove Elevation and Species' Responses to Sea-level Rise Across Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (ver. 1.1, December 2021)
Rising seas could cross thresholds for initiating coastal wetland drowning within decades across much of the United States
Microtopographic variation as a potential early indicator of ecosystem state change and vulnerability in salt marshes
Planning hydrological restoration of coastal wetlands: Key model considerations and solutions
The hydrological restoration of coastal wetlands is an emerging approach for mitigating and adapting to climate change and enhancing ecosystem services such as improved water quality and biodiversity. This paper synthesises current knowledge on selecting appropriate modelling approaches for hydrological restoration projects. The selection of a modelling approach is based on project-specific factor
Biophysical drivers of coastal treeline elevation
Sea level rise is leading to the rapid migration of marshes into coastal forests and other terrestrial ecosystems. Although complex biophysical interactions likely govern these ecosystem transitions, projections of sea level driven land conversion commonly rely on a simplified “threshold elevation” that represents the elevation of the marsh-upland boundary based on tidal datums alone. To determine
Foundations of modeling resilience of tidal saline wetlands to sea-level rise along the U.S. Pacific Coast
GPS data from 2019 and 2020 campaigns in the Chesapeake Bay region towards quantifying vertical land motions
Mangroves provide blue carbon ecological value at a low freshwater cost
Variability in marsh migration potential determined by topographic rather than anthropogenic constraints in the Chesapeake Bay region
Experimental tree mortality does not induce marsh transgression in a Chesapeake Bay low-lying coastal forest
Modeling marsh dynamics using a 3-D coupled wave-flow-sediment model
Quantifying slopes as a driver of forest to marsh conversion using geospatial techniques: Application to Chesapeake Bay coastal-plain, USA
Mangrove species’ response to sea-level rise across Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia
Science and Products
Progress Through Partnerships - Chesapeake Bay Vertical Land Motion Project
The Response of Coastal Wetlands to Sea-level Rise: Understanding how Macroscale Drivers Influence Local Processes and Feedbacks
The response of coastal wetlands to sea-level rise: Understanding how macroscale drivers influence local processes and feedbacks
Virginia Coast Reserve Long Term Ecological Research VII
Seagrass Vulnerability to Environmental Conditions Under Changing Temperature Regimes
Vulnerability Assessment of Available Habitat for Wintering Black Ducks within the Refuge System in the Chesapeake Bay
When and where could rising seas cross thresholds for initiating wetland drowning across conterminous United States?
Environmental and Vegetation Data from Marsh-Forest Transgression Experiment at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, MD, USA
Water levels (November 11 2016 through November 11 2017) for four wells and Light intensity data (October 1 2015 through September 2019): from marsh to upland forest, for Moneystump Marsh, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland
Mangrove Elevation and Species' Responses to Sea-level Rise Across Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (ver. 1.1, December 2021)
Rising seas could cross thresholds for initiating coastal wetland drowning within decades across much of the United States
Microtopographic variation as a potential early indicator of ecosystem state change and vulnerability in salt marshes
Planning hydrological restoration of coastal wetlands: Key model considerations and solutions
The hydrological restoration of coastal wetlands is an emerging approach for mitigating and adapting to climate change and enhancing ecosystem services such as improved water quality and biodiversity. This paper synthesises current knowledge on selecting appropriate modelling approaches for hydrological restoration projects. The selection of a modelling approach is based on project-specific factor
Biophysical drivers of coastal treeline elevation
Sea level rise is leading to the rapid migration of marshes into coastal forests and other terrestrial ecosystems. Although complex biophysical interactions likely govern these ecosystem transitions, projections of sea level driven land conversion commonly rely on a simplified “threshold elevation” that represents the elevation of the marsh-upland boundary based on tidal datums alone. To determine