As a master’s student in Biology at Georgia Southern University, I’ve spent the past year and a half studying the resiliency of restored and natural dunes on Tybee Island. While my background is in plant conservation genetics—first as an undergraduate researcher and later as a post-baccalaureate fellow—this has been the first time I’ve worked on a project so deeply tied to the public. Through my Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant Research Traineeship, I’ve gained a clearer understanding of what it means to do science that is not only rigorous, but also relevant, accessible, and impactful. 

Coastal ecosystems like Tybee’s are increasingly threatened by climate change, including more frequent and intense storms and rising sea levels. In 2020, the city constructed a half mile-long vegetated dune to enhance storm protection and support natural sediment accumulation. These dunes serve as vital buffers, absorbing wave energy and reducing inland flooding. Plants build dunes by accumulating sand at their stems and leaves and stabilize them by trapping sand with their roots. Without vegetation, dunes cannot grow or remain stable. 

With nearly two million annual visitors, human activity significantly impacts the health of Tybee’s dunes. For example, pedestrians often use footpaths to access the beach. The lack of vegetation in the center of these paths create weak points in the dune system, potentially increasing the risk of flooding during storm events. However, the exact mechanisms by which footpaths degrade restored dunes have not been well documented. 

Fox leads a public program about her research on Tybee Island.

For my thesis research, I set out to evaluate how pedestrian traffic affects dune structure and function. My study had three main goals: 

  1. Compare vegetation, soil, and sand movement between existing footpaths and undisturbed areas. 
  2. Close footpaths to assess dune recovery in the absence of pedestrian traffic. 
  3. Open previously undisturbed areas to observe the immediate effects of trampling. 

Throughout this project, I’ve worked closely with local decision-makers to translate my research into strategies that reduce human disturbance and support long-term resilience. I partnered with educators at the Tybee Island Maritime Academy to integrate dune monitoring into their science curriculum, leading hands-on field lessons for K-8 students. I also led a public program, Saltwater Science: Sand Dunes, with Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant which highlighted my research and guided participants through hands-on field activities to explore dune restoration and human impacts on Tybee Island. While collecting data on the dunes, I’ve had countless informal conversations with beachgoers — turning curiosity into opportunities for education about the importance of protecting these natural defenses. 

Tools needed for Fox’s study are brought along to the dune sites.

Preliminary results show that areas opened to pedestrian traffic degrade quickly, losing total vegetation cover and key dune-building species such as sea oats. Meanwhile, footpaths that I closed off to the public show minimal recovery, underscoring the importance of prevention — like staying on designated crossovers — to preserve dune function and protect Tybee’s investment in restoration. I’m looking forward to sharing these findings with the City of Tybee to help guide their ongoing management strategies. 

I hope to defend my thesis this summer, and afterward, I plan to continue working at the intersection of science and conservation. I’m especially drawn to roles that involve habitat management, science communication, and community engagement—whether with a government agency, non-profit, or resilience-focused organization. My experience as a Georgia Sea Grant Research Trainee has strengthened my skills and shaped my goals, showing me the power of applied research to make a real difference.