Nicholas M Enwright, Ph.D.
Nicholas Enwright is a Research Geographer at U.S. Geological Survey's Wetland and Aquatic Research Center in Lafayette, Louisiana.
He received his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University in 2019. Nicholas uses applied coastal geography research to understand how the spatial distribution and patterns of environments, such as barrier islands and coastal wetlands, are changing through time. His research program aims to further science related to natural resource assessments, restoration planning, and monitoring by: (1) developing new data using remote sensing techniques; (2) advancing methodologies for geospatial studies; (3) analyzing spatial data using geographic information science (GIS); and (4) forecasting potential future landscapes using geocomputational modeling. Currently, Nicholas' research team is working on projects that span the northern Gulf of Mexico coast and the Atlantic Seaboard.
Professional Experience
Research Geographer, U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Lafayette, LA, 2022 to present
Geographer, U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Lafayette, LA, 2013 to 2022
Geographic Information Specialist II, Five Rivers Services/IAP Worldwide Services, contracted to support the U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center Lafayette, LA, 2010 to 2013
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., 2019, Louisiana State University, Major: Geography and Anthropology; research emphasis: barrier island habitat mapping and modeling
M.S., 2010, University of North Texas, Major: Applied Geography; research emphasis: geospatial analysis of wetlands
Certificate in Geographic Information Systems, 2008, University of North Texas
B.S., 2007, University of North Texas, Major: Geography
Science and Products
Caminada Headland restoration area - 2012 habitat map, Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program
Whiskey Island Caillou Lake Headlands restoration area - 2019 habitat map, Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program
Whiskey Island Caillou Lake Headlands restoration area - 2018 habitat map, Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program
Whiskey Island Caillou Lake Headlands restoration area - 2017 habitat map, Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program
Whiskey Island Caillou Lake Headlands restoration area - 2015 habitat map, Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program
Mangrove distribution in the southeastern United States in 2021
Developing bare-earth digital elevation models from structure-from-motion data on barrier islands, Dauphin Island, AL, 2018-2019
Barrier island vegetation and elevation survey, Dauphin Island, AL, 2018-19
Riverine Sand Mining/Scofield Island Restoration (BA-40): 2014 habitat classification
Pass Chaland to Grand Bayou Pass Barrier Shoreline Restoration (BA-35): 2016 habitat classification
Shell Island East Barrier Island Restoration (BA-0110): 2013 habitat pre-construction and post-construction (as-built) classification (ver. 1.1, July 2021)
Riverine Sand Mining/Scofield Island Restoration (BA-40): 2018 habitat classification, detailed habitat classes
Advancing barrier island habitat mapping using landscape position information
Landscape conservation design for enhancing the adaptive capacity of coastal wetlands in the face of sea-level rise and coastal development
Climate and plant controls on soil organic matter in coastal wetlands
Coastal wetland adaptation to sea level rise: Quantifying potential for landward migration and coastal squeeze
The impact of lidar elevation uncertainty on mapping intertidal habitats on barrier islands
Linear and nonlinear effects of temperature and precipitation on ecosystem properties in tidal saline wetlands
Assessing coastal wetland vulnerability to sea-level rise along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast: Gaps and opportunities for developing a coordinated regional sampling network
Barrier island habitat map and vegetation survey—Dauphin Island, Alabama, 2015
Delineation of marsh types and marsh-type change in coastal Louisiana for 2007 and 2013
Macroclimatic change expected to transform coastal wetland ecosystems this century
Climatic controls on the global distribution, abundance, and species richness of mangrove forests
Barriers to and opportunities for landward migration of coastal wetlands with sea-level rise
Science and Products
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Caminada Headland restoration area - 2012 habitat map, Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program
This package includes a detailed habitat map, general habitat map, and georeferenced imagery from 2012 for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Caminada Headland Beach and Dune Restoration Incr2 project area (BA-0143). The project restored 489 acres of beach and dune habitat along more than seven miles of Caminada Headland in Jefferson and Lafourche Parishes through the direct placemenWhiskey Island Caillou Lake Headlands restoration area - 2019 habitat map, Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program
This package includes a detailed habitat map, general habitat map, and georeferenced imagery from 2019 for the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Caillou Lake Headlands project area (TE-0100), also known as Whiskey Island. The project created 170 acres of marsh habitat and 917 acres of dune and beach habitat on Whiskey Island in Terrebonne Parish using material dredged from Ship Shoal. TheWhiskey Island Caillou Lake Headlands restoration area - 2018 habitat map, Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program
This package includes a detailed habitat map, general habitat map, and georeferenced imagery from 2018 for the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Caillou Lake Headlands project area (TE-0100), also known as Whiskey Island. The project created 170 acres of marsh habitat and 917 acres of dune and beach habitat on Whiskey Island in Terrebonne Parish using material dredged from Ship Shoal. TheWhiskey Island Caillou Lake Headlands restoration area - 2017 habitat map, Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program
This package includes a detailed habitat map, general habitat map, and georeferenced imagery from 2018 for the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Caillou Lake Headlands project area (TE-0100), also known as Whiskey Island. The project created 170 acres of marsh habitat and 917 acres of dune and beach habitat on Whiskey Island in Terrebonne Parish using material dredged from Ship Shoal. TheWhiskey Island Caillou Lake Headlands restoration area - 2015 habitat map, Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program
This package includes a detailed habitat map, general habitat map, and georeferenced imagery from 2015 for the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Caillou Lake Headlands project area (TE-0100), also known as Whiskey Island. The project created 170 acres of marsh habitat and 917 acres of dune and beach habitat on Whiskey Island in Terrebonne Parish using material dredged from Ship Shoal. TheMangrove distribution in the southeastern United States in 2021
Global climate change is leading to large-scale shifts in species' range limits. For example, rising winter temperatures are shifting the abundance and distributions of tropical, cold sensitive plant species towards higher latitudes. Coastal wetlands provide a prime example of such shifts, with tropical mangrove forests expanding into temperate salt marshes as winter warming alleviates past geograDeveloping bare-earth digital elevation models from structure-from-motion data on barrier islands, Dauphin Island, AL, 2018-2019
This U.S. Geological Survey data release includes bare-earth digital elevation models (DEMs) that were produced by removing elevation bias in vegetated areas from structure-from-motion (SfM) data products for two sites on Dauphin Island, Alabama. These data were collected in the late fall of 2018 and spring of 2019. In addition to the bare-earth DEMs, this data release also includes vegetation masBarrier island vegetation and elevation survey, Dauphin Island, AL, 2018-19
Vegetation and elevation survey data were collected in 4-square-meter quadrats via Real-Time Kinematic GPS from September 9, 2018 to April 17, 2019 on Dauphin Island, AL. Vegetation data included total percent herbaceous cover, percent cover by plant species, and mean height of vegetation within the quadrat. The percent cover by species was used to determine the dominant species for the plot.Riverine Sand Mining/Scofield Island Restoration (BA-40): 2014 habitat classification
This data set includes mosaicked aerial photographs for the Riverine Sand Mining/Scofield Island Restoration (BA-40) project for 2014. This data is used as a basemap habitat classification. If repeated, it can also serve as a visual tool for project managers to help them identify any obvious problems or land loss within their project boundary. To better evaluate the effectiveness of restoration efPass Chaland to Grand Bayou Pass Barrier Shoreline Restoration (BA-35): 2016 habitat classification
The Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring (BICM) program was developed by Louisiana's Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) and is implemented as a component of the System Wide Assessment and Monitoring (SWAMP) program. The program uses both historical data and contemporary data collections to assess and monitor changes in the aerial and subaqueous extent of islands, habitat types,Shell Island East Barrier Island Restoration (BA-0110): 2013 habitat pre-construction and post-construction (as-built) classification (ver. 1.1, July 2021)
This data set includes mosaicked aerial photographs for the Shell Island East Barrier Island Restoration (BA-0110) project both pre and post-construction for 2013. This data is used as a basemap habitat classification. If repeated, it can also serve as a visual tool for project managers to help them identify any obvious problems or land loss within their project boundary. To better evaluate the efRiverine Sand Mining/Scofield Island Restoration (BA-40): 2018 habitat classification, detailed habitat classes
The Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring (BICM) program was developed by Louisiana's Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) and is implemented as a component of the System Wide Assessment and Monitoring Program (SWAMP). The program uses both historical data and contemporary data collections to assess and monitor changes in the aerial and subaqueous extent of islands, habitat types, - Maps
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Advancing barrier island habitat mapping using landscape position information
Barrier islands are dynamic ecosystems that change gradually from coastal processes, including currents and tides, and rapidly from episodic events, such as storms. These islands provide many important ecosystem services, including storm protection and erosion control to the mainland, habitat for fish and wildlife, and tourism. Habitat maps, developed by scientists, provide a critical tool for monAuthorsNicholas Enwright, Lei Wang, Sinéad M. Borchert, Richard Day, Laura Feher, Michael OslandLandscape conservation design for enhancing the adaptive capacity of coastal wetlands in the face of sea-level rise and coastal development
Coastal wetlands provide many valuable benefits to people and wildlife, including critical habitat, improved water quality, reduced flooding impacts, and protected coastlines. However, in the 21st century, accelerated sea-level rise and coastal development are expected to greatly alter coastal landscapes across the globe. The future of coastal wetlands is uncertain, challenging coastal environmentAuthorsMichael J. Osland, Sinead Borchert, Nicholas EnwrightClimate and plant controls on soil organic matter in coastal wetlands
Coastal wetlands are among the most productive and carbon‐rich ecosystems on Earth. Long‐term carbon storage in coastal wetlands occurs primarily belowground as soil organic matter (SOM). In addition to serving as a carbon sink, SOM influences wetland ecosystem structure, function, and stability. To anticipate and mitigate the effects of climate change, there is a need to advance understanding ofAuthorsMichael J. Osland, Christopher A. Gabler, James B. Grace, Richard H. Day, Meagan L. McCoy, Jennie L. McLeod, Andrew S. From, Nicholas M. Enwright, Laura C. Feher, Camille L. Stagg, Stephen B. HartleyCoastal wetland adaptation to sea level rise: Quantifying potential for landward migration and coastal squeeze
Coastal wetland ecosystems are expected to migrate landwards in response to rising seas. However, due to differences in topography and coastal urbanization, estuaries vary in their ability to accommodate migration. Low‐lying urban areas can constrain migration and lead to wetland loss (i.e. coastal squeeze), especially where existing wetlands cannot keep pace with rising seas via vertical adjustmeAuthorsSinéad M. Borchert, Michael J. Osland, Nicholas M. Enwright, Kereen GriffithThe impact of lidar elevation uncertainty on mapping intertidal habitats on barrier islands
While airborne lidar data have revolutionized the spatial resolution that elevations can be realized, data limitations are often magnified in coastal settings. Researchers have found that airborne lidar can have a vertical error as high as 60 cm in densely vegetated intertidal areas. The uncertainty of digital elevation models is often left unaddressed; however, in low-relief environments, such asAuthorsNicholas M. Enwright, Lei Wang, Sinéad M. Borchert, Richard H. Day, Laura C. Feher, Michael J. OslandLinear and nonlinear effects of temperature and precipitation on ecosystem properties in tidal saline wetlands
Climate greatly influences the structure and functioning of tidal saline wetland ecosystems. However, there is a need to better quantify the effects of climatic drivers on ecosystem properties, particularly near climate-sensitive ecological transition zones. Here, we used climate- and literature-derived ecological data from tidal saline wetlands to test hypotheses regarding the influence of climatAuthorsLaura C. Feher, Michael J. Osland, Kereen T. Griffith, James B. Grace, Rebecca J. Howard, Camille L. Stagg, Nicholas M. Enwright, Ken W. Krauss, Christopher A. Gabler, Richard H. Day, Kerrylee RogersAssessing coastal wetland vulnerability to sea-level rise along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast: Gaps and opportunities for developing a coordinated regional sampling network
Coastal wetland responses to sea-level rise are greatly influenced by biogeomorphic processes that affect wetland surface elevation. Small changes in elevation relative to sea level can lead to comparatively large changes in ecosystem structure, function, and stability. The surface elevation table-marker horizon (SET-MH) approach is being used globally to quantify the relative contributions of proAuthorsMichael J. Osland, Kereen T. Griffith, Jack C. Larriviere, Laura C. Feher, Donald R. Cahoon, Nicholas M. Enwright, David A. Oster, John M. Tirpak, Mark S. Woodrey, Renee C. Collini, Joseph J. Baustian, Joshua L. Breithaupt, Julia A Cherry, Jeremy R. Conrad, Nicole Cormier, Carlos A. Coronado-Molina, Joseph F. Donoghue, Sean A. Graham, Jennifer W. Harper, Mark W. Hester, Rebecca J. Howard, Ken W. Krauss, Daniel Kroes, Robert R. Lane, Karen L. McKee, Irving A. Mendelssohn, Beth A. Middleton, Jena A. Moon, Sarai Piazza, Nicole M. Rankin, Fred H. Sklar, Gregory D. Steyer, Kathleen M. Swanson, Christopher M. Swarzenski, William Vervaeke, Jonathan M Willis, K. Van WilsonBarrier island habitat map and vegetation survey—Dauphin Island, Alabama, 2015
Barrier islands are dynamic environments due to their position at the land-sea interface. Storms, waves, tides, currents, and relative sea-level rise are powerful forces that shape barrier island geomorphology and habitats (for example, beach, dune, marsh, and forest). Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Deep Water Horizon oil spill in 2010 are two major events that have affected habitats and naturaAuthorsNicholas M. Enwright, Sinéad M. Borchert, Richard H. Day, Laura C. Feher, Michael J. Osland, Lei Wang, Hongqing WangDelineation of marsh types and marsh-type change in coastal Louisiana for 2007 and 2013
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management researchers often require detailed information regarding emergent marsh vegetation types (such as fresh, intermediate, brackish, and saline) for modeling habitat capacities and mitigation. In response, the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management produced a detailed change classification of emergent marsh vegetation typeAuthorsStephen B. Hartley, Brady R. Couvillion, Nicholas M. EnwrightMacroclimatic change expected to transform coastal wetland ecosystems this century
Coastal wetlands, existing at the interface between land and sea, are highly vulnerable to climate change. Macroclimate (for example, temperature and precipitation regimes) greatly influences coastal wetland ecosystem structure and function. However, research on climate change impacts in coastal wetlands has concentrated primarily on sea-level rise and largely ignored macroclimatic drivers, despitAuthorsChristopher A. Gabler, Michael J. Osland, James B. Grace, Camille L. Stagg, Richard H. Day, Stephen B. Hartley, Nicholas M. Enwright, Andrew From, Meagan L. McCoy, Jennie L. McLeodClimatic controls on the global distribution, abundance, and species richness of mangrove forests
Mangrove forests are highly productive tidal saline wetland ecosystems found along sheltered tropical and subtropical coasts. Ecologists have long assumed that climatic drivers (i.e., temperature and rainfall regimes) govern the global distribution, structure, and function of mangrove forests. However, data constraints have hindered the quantification of direct climate-mangrove linkages in many paAuthorsMichael J. Osland, Laura C. Feher, Kereen Griffith, Kyle C. Cavanaugh, Nicholas M. Enwright, Richard H. Day, Camille L. Stagg, Ken W. Krauss, Rebecca J. Howard, James B. Grace, Kerrylee RogersBarriers to and opportunities for landward migration of coastal wetlands with sea-level rise
In the 21st century, accelerated sea-level rise and continued coastal development are expected to greatly alter coastal landscapes across the globe. Historically, many coastal ecosystems have responded to sea-level fluctuations via horizontal and vertical movement on the landscape. However, anthropogenic activities, including urbanization and the construction of flood-prevention infrastructure, caAuthorsNicholas M. Enwright, Kereen T. Griffith, Michael J. Osland - News