Current Projects

Critical Life History Parameters of the Texas Diamond-backed Terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin littoralis
EIH continues to build upon previous research on the population and distribution of the Texas diamond-backed terrapin in the upper Texas coast.

Design, Construction, and Analysis of Floating Wetlands
EIH researchers will build and analyze floating treatment wetland systems as an additional technology approach to reduce stormwater pollutant loads.

Establishing a Network of Eel Ramps to Monitor Recruitment of Glass and Elver American Eel
EIH researchers are constructing and deploying eel ramps specially designed to target ingressing glass eels and elvers along the central to upper Texas Coast.

Establishment of an Oyster Sentinel Program for Tracking Perkinsus marinus (Dermo) in Oysters of Galveston Bay
EIH, in partnership with TPWD, is refining protocols for monitoring dermo infection in Galveston Bay oysters to establish a long-term Oyster Sentinel Program.

Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program
The objectives of this project are to implement a monitoring program for bottlenose dolphins in Galveston Bay, Texas; to determine relative abundance within the upper Galveston Bay Estuary and Houston Ship Channel; and to characterize residency patterns, habitat use and ranging patterns of these dolphins.

Microplastic Distribution and Impacts to Diamond-backed Terrapin, Highlighting Public Education and Future Effects of Sea-level Rise
The primary goal of this project is to evaluate and disseminate data related to dispersion and future effects of microplastic contaminants within shoreline habitats.

National Coastal Condition Assessment
The National Coastal Condition Assessment (NCCA) is a national coastal monitoring program with rigorous quality assurance protocols and standardized sampling procedures designed to produce national and regional estimates of coastal condition.

Texas Clean Rivers Program
The CRP aims to maintain and improve the quality of water resources within river basins in Texas through a partnership with TCEQ, river authorities, local and state governments, industry, citizens and agencies. EIH monitors 55 CRP sites in the Houston-Galveston area.

Tracking Perkinsus marinus (Dermo) Infection in Sun Cured Oysters: Informing Oyster Shell Recycling Programs in Galveston Bay
EIH and the Galveston Bay Foundation are studying Dermo infection rates in quarantined recycled oyster shells to evaluate their role in reef restoration.

Upscaling Mangrove Restoration for Coastal Hazard Reduction in a Deltaic Environment: Prioritizing Restoration Efforts for Nature-based Solutions in the Volta Delta
This project aims to better understand how to up-scale locally appropriate mangrove Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) across the Volta Delta in Ghana.