Gedan Lab @ GWU

Screen%2BShot%2B2021-03-25%2Bat%2B10.34.33%2BAM.jpg

Welcome to the Gedan Lab!

We study the coastal marine ecology of dynamic tidal wetlands, and their response to global change – that is, contemporary and historical changes in climate, sea level, invasive species, and nutrient availability. We are particularly interested in understanding abiotic effects on and species interactions between strong interactors such as foundation species and ecosystem engineers in driving patterns at the landscape scale. We work closely with environmental agencies and land managers, as our findings often inform the conservation and restoration of valuable coastal ecosystems.

Our home base is in downtown Washington, DC at the George Washington University. During the growing season, we spend most weeks afield surveying natural patterns, asking new questions, and setting up ecological field experiments in the tidal wetlands of the Chesapeake Bay and Mid-Atlantic coastal bays. Please read about some of our current research and activities on these pages. If you are interested in learning more about our work or joining the lab as a graduate student or postdoc, please send us an email.

Balancing act #farmcreekmarsh

Melting in the marsh last week. It looks beautiful, but it felt hot as an oven! Balance is tricky on the tussocks in and around the marsh ponds. Charlie, Stine, Brett persevered (and me, just barely!). #farmcreekmarsh

I tried something new last week. #sledfail

Green tree frog hiding among the three-square rushes at #farmcreekmarsh #chesapeakeaudubon

@wetlandrich - Feeling brackish? A terrible terra-pun bout a terrapin, brought to you by @gedanlabgwu #marshmonday #audubonsociety #tonguetwister

Beaut of a day for field work in the Anacostia River restored fresh tidal wetlands. #urbanwetlands #nationalparkservice

Epic! Thanks, Ezra! 😍

Hard earned Machipongo smoothies

Eye of Sauron is watching

Great day to be in the marsh on the Eastern Shore #vcrlter Taking annual measurements of the marsh surface to track marsh accretion.

Planting with the small plot (“Dew Drop”) planter, take 2, was a success! #trytryagain We planted seeds of four perennial, salt tolerant grass species in salinized farm fields, as well as a salt tolerant floral mix to support pollinators. 👊 Thank you, #nrcs #capemayplantmaterialscenter

Tried planting on a verrry wet field day. Planting fail. Sometimes, ya gotta do things twice. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Greenhouse experiment launch!

Help us document ghost forests! The submergence of low lying coastal land due to sea level rise results in the formation of ghost forests, one of the most striking indicators of climate change. We are engaging citizen scientists to help document their formation on a larger scale! Have you seen a ghost forest? Click the Linktree in our bio to log your ghost forest observation and view your observation on our Ghosts of the Coast citizen science map!

Happy World Wetlands Day from Cedar Creek on the Eastern Shore of MD! Photo by @wetlandrich

Fall colors at Brownsville #vcrlter

@rosiemohammadi @rosenfieldmarc workin on a weekend #vcrlter

New Gedan Lab technician @rosiemohammadi - welcome to our world!! #vcrlter #marshtime

Ponds taking over Chesapeake Bay marshes, photos by @wetlandrich #thisisclimatechange #audubon

DREAM COME TRUE - I was unexpectedly served the delicious marsh succulent Salicornia (pickleweed) on a cheese plate at my anniversary dinner.

Melting in the marsh last week. It looks beautiful, but it felt hot as an oven! Balance is tricky on the tussocks in and around the marsh ponds. Charlie, Stine, Brett persevered (and me, just barely!). #farmcreekmarsh

I tried something new last week. #sledfail

Planting with the small plot (“Dew Drop”) planter, take 2, was a success! #trytryagain We planted seeds of four perennial, salt tolerant grass species in salinized farm fields, as well as a salt tolerant floral mix to support pollinators

You can follow our lab on Instagram @ gedanlabgwu. Beware, you might get a case of the Marsh Mondays, or be subject to all manner of marine word play.