Neil Kamal Ganju, PhD
My research spans the multiple disciplines that converge in estuarine systems. Research projects include numerical model development, field observations of hydrodynamics and water quality, wetland and coastal vulnerability assessments, geomorphic change, and eutrophication.
In 2001, I began working for the USGS at the California Water Science Center, on the San Francisco Bay Sediment Transport Project with Dr. David Schoellhamer. In 2008 I moved to the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center and began multiple projects throughout the northeast US. The Estuarine Processes, Hazards, and Ecosystems project, started in 2015, details the past and ongoing studies we are involved with.
Professional Experience
2010-present: Research Oceanographer, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
2008-2010: Hydraulic Engineer, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
2001-2008: Hydraulic Engineer, California Water Science Center
Education and Certifications
I studied civil engineering at the University of Michigan (BSCE), the University of Florida (MSCE), and the University of California-Davis (Ph.D.).
Science and Products
Estuarine Processes Tidal Wetlands
Estuarine Processes Coastal Hazards
Estuarine Processes Model Development
Estuarine Processes Model Development
Estuarine Processes Model Development
Estuarine Processes Model Development
Idealized COAWST model cases for testing sensitivity of sediment transport and marsh accretion to vegetation, wave, and sediment parameters Idealized COAWST model cases for testing sensitivity of sediment transport and marsh accretion to vegetation, wave, and sediment parameters
Lifespan of marsh units in New York salt marshes Lifespan of marsh units in New York salt marshes
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Maine Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Maine
Time-series measurements of oceanographic and water quality data collected at Thompsons Beach and Stone Harbor, New Jersey, USA, September 2018 to September 2019 and March 2022 to May 2023 Time-series measurements of oceanographic and water quality data collected at Thompsons Beach and Stone Harbor, New Jersey, USA, September 2018 to September 2019 and March 2022 to May 2023
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Connecticut (ver. 2.0, April 2024) Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Connecticut (ver. 2.0, April 2024)
Lifespan of Massachusetts salt marsh units Lifespan of Massachusetts salt marsh units
Water quality data from a multiparameter sonde collected in the Herring River during November 2018 to November 2019 in Wellfleet, MA Water quality data from a multiparameter sonde collected in the Herring River during November 2018 to November 2019 in Wellfleet, MA
Time-series measurements of oceanographic and water quality data collected in the Herring River, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, USA, November 2018 to November 2019 Time-series measurements of oceanographic and water quality data collected in the Herring River, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, USA, November 2018 to November 2019
Aerial imagery and ground control points collected during an uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) survey at Plum Island Estuary and Parker River NWR (PIEPR), November 14, 2017 and March 28, 2019 Aerial imagery and ground control points collected during an uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) survey at Plum Island Estuary and Parker River NWR (PIEPR), November 14, 2017 and March 28, 2019
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes on the Eastern Shore of Virginia Geospatial characterization of salt marshes on the Eastern Shore of Virginia
Lifespan of Chesapeake Bay salt marsh units Lifespan of Chesapeake Bay salt marsh units
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Chesapeake Bay Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Chesapeake Bay
Increased utilization of storm surge barriers: A research agenda on estuary impacts Increased utilization of storm surge barriers: A research agenda on estuary impacts
Buzzards Bay salt marshes: Vulnerability and adaptation potential Buzzards Bay salt marshes: Vulnerability and adaptation potential
Variability in marsh migration potential determined by topographic rather than anthropogenic constraints in the Chesapeake Bay region Variability in marsh migration potential determined by topographic rather than anthropogenic constraints in the Chesapeake Bay region
Development and application of Landsat-based wetland vegetation cover and unvegetated-vegetated marsh ratio (UVVR) for the conterminous United States Development and application of Landsat-based wetland vegetation cover and unvegetated-vegetated marsh ratio (UVVR) for the conterminous United States
Modeling the dynamics of salt marsh development in coastal land reclamation Modeling the dynamics of salt marsh development in coastal land reclamation
How much marsh restoration is enough to deliver wave attenuation coastal protection benefits? How much marsh restoration is enough to deliver wave attenuation coastal protection benefits?
Modeling marsh dynamics using a 3-D coupled wave-flow-sediment model 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 Quantifying slopes as a driver of forest to marsh conversion using geospatial techniques: Application to Chesapeake Bay coastal-plain, USA
Sediment dynamics of a divergent bay–marsh complex Sediment dynamics of a divergent bay–marsh complex
Development of a submerged aquatic vegetation growth model in the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere–Wave–Sediment Transport (COAWST v3.4) model Development of a submerged aquatic vegetation growth model in the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere–Wave–Sediment Transport (COAWST v3.4) model
Applying cumulative effects to strategically advance large‐scale ecosystem restoration Applying cumulative effects to strategically advance large‐scale ecosystem restoration
Simulated estuary-wide response of seagrass (Zostera marina) to future scenarios of temperature and sea level Simulated estuary-wide response of seagrass (Zostera marina) to future scenarios of temperature and sea level
Non-USGS Publications**
(2016), Estimating time-dependent
connectivity in marine systems, Geophys.
Res. Lett., 43, doi:10.1002/2015GL066888.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Estuarine Processes Tidal Wetlands
Estuarine Processes Coastal Hazards
Estuarine Processes Model Development
Estuarine Processes Model Development
Estuarine Processes Model Development
Estuarine Processes Model Development
Idealized COAWST model cases for testing sensitivity of sediment transport and marsh accretion to vegetation, wave, and sediment parameters Idealized COAWST model cases for testing sensitivity of sediment transport and marsh accretion to vegetation, wave, and sediment parameters
Lifespan of marsh units in New York salt marshes Lifespan of marsh units in New York salt marshes
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Maine Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Maine
Time-series measurements of oceanographic and water quality data collected at Thompsons Beach and Stone Harbor, New Jersey, USA, September 2018 to September 2019 and March 2022 to May 2023 Time-series measurements of oceanographic and water quality data collected at Thompsons Beach and Stone Harbor, New Jersey, USA, September 2018 to September 2019 and March 2022 to May 2023
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Connecticut (ver. 2.0, April 2024) Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Connecticut (ver. 2.0, April 2024)
Lifespan of Massachusetts salt marsh units Lifespan of Massachusetts salt marsh units
Water quality data from a multiparameter sonde collected in the Herring River during November 2018 to November 2019 in Wellfleet, MA Water quality data from a multiparameter sonde collected in the Herring River during November 2018 to November 2019 in Wellfleet, MA
Time-series measurements of oceanographic and water quality data collected in the Herring River, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, USA, November 2018 to November 2019 Time-series measurements of oceanographic and water quality data collected in the Herring River, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, USA, November 2018 to November 2019
Aerial imagery and ground control points collected during an uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) survey at Plum Island Estuary and Parker River NWR (PIEPR), November 14, 2017 and March 28, 2019 Aerial imagery and ground control points collected during an uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) survey at Plum Island Estuary and Parker River NWR (PIEPR), November 14, 2017 and March 28, 2019
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes on the Eastern Shore of Virginia Geospatial characterization of salt marshes on the Eastern Shore of Virginia
Lifespan of Chesapeake Bay salt marsh units Lifespan of Chesapeake Bay salt marsh units
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Chesapeake Bay Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Chesapeake Bay
Increased utilization of storm surge barriers: A research agenda on estuary impacts Increased utilization of storm surge barriers: A research agenda on estuary impacts
Buzzards Bay salt marshes: Vulnerability and adaptation potential Buzzards Bay salt marshes: Vulnerability and adaptation potential
Variability in marsh migration potential determined by topographic rather than anthropogenic constraints in the Chesapeake Bay region Variability in marsh migration potential determined by topographic rather than anthropogenic constraints in the Chesapeake Bay region
Development and application of Landsat-based wetland vegetation cover and unvegetated-vegetated marsh ratio (UVVR) for the conterminous United States Development and application of Landsat-based wetland vegetation cover and unvegetated-vegetated marsh ratio (UVVR) for the conterminous United States
Modeling the dynamics of salt marsh development in coastal land reclamation Modeling the dynamics of salt marsh development in coastal land reclamation
How much marsh restoration is enough to deliver wave attenuation coastal protection benefits? How much marsh restoration is enough to deliver wave attenuation coastal protection benefits?
Modeling marsh dynamics using a 3-D coupled wave-flow-sediment model 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 Quantifying slopes as a driver of forest to marsh conversion using geospatial techniques: Application to Chesapeake Bay coastal-plain, USA
Sediment dynamics of a divergent bay–marsh complex Sediment dynamics of a divergent bay–marsh complex
Development of a submerged aquatic vegetation growth model in the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere–Wave–Sediment Transport (COAWST v3.4) model Development of a submerged aquatic vegetation growth model in the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere–Wave–Sediment Transport (COAWST v3.4) model
Applying cumulative effects to strategically advance large‐scale ecosystem restoration Applying cumulative effects to strategically advance large‐scale ecosystem restoration
Simulated estuary-wide response of seagrass (Zostera marina) to future scenarios of temperature and sea level Simulated estuary-wide response of seagrass (Zostera marina) to future scenarios of temperature and sea level
Non-USGS Publications**
(2016), Estimating time-dependent
connectivity in marine systems, Geophys.
Res. Lett., 43, doi:10.1002/2015GL066888.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.