262 Advances in Ecohydrogeology (Posters)

Ecohydrogeology is the unifying, synthetic field of study integrating the approaches from the ecological and hydrogeological sciences in the study of groundwater-related ecosystems, habitats, and organisms. We encourage submissions of research that advances the science, stewardship, and policy at the intersection of ecology and hydrogeology.

Wednesday, 22 October 2025
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
HBGCC, Hall 1

Ecological assessment of the Mangrove forest along the Black River, Jamaica: Connecting water quality and vegetation

Paper number: 262-1
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Authors

  • Talita Gomes Presenting Author
    University of Texas at Austin, Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Austin
  • Ashley M. Matheny
    University of Texas at Austin, Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Austin
  • Rowan Martindale
    University of Texas at Austin, Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Austin
  • Debbie-Ann Gordon-Smith
    University of West Indies, Mona, Department of Chemistry, Kingston
  • Andrew Green
    University of West Indies, Mona, Department of Chemistry, Kingston
  • Denise Henry
    The Forestry Department, Government of Jamaica, Mangrove Plus Project, Kingston
  • Camilo Trench
    University of West Indies, Mona, Department of Life Sciences, Kingston
  • GEOPAths GO Jamaica Team 2025
    University of Texas at Austin, Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Austin

Abstract

A healthy coastal ecosystem is important for many reasons; specifically, mangrove forests protect nearby aquatic and terrestrial communities, maintain biodiversity, provide a nursery for birds, fish, and marine invertebrates, and protect shorelines from erosion. The Black River, located in the parish of St. Elizabeth on the southern coast of Jamaica, is an important ecosystem for the island; it provides protection for local species, including the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), and serve as a nursery for fish and shrimp species. The extensive mangrove ecosystem also supports rich biodiversity, nutrient cycling, shoreline stabilization, and habitat provision. 

Understanding the connectivity between water quality and mangrove health is crucial for the sustainable management of this environment. This study presents findings from fieldwork conducted along the Black River as part of the GEOPAths GO Jamaica program, Summer 2025. The research focuses on assessing the physicochemical parameters of the water and their ecological connection to mangrove structure and function. We conducted qualitative observational analyses of the mangroves on the river shoreline and paired these data with water samples for nutrient analysis (nitrate, phosphate, ammonia, total dissolved nitrogen, and phosphorus) and physicochemical data: temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and pH, at 11 sites along the lower 6 km the river.

The data collected serve as a baseline for understanding the ecological dynamics of the Black River and for identifying potential environmental stressors affecting mangrove resilience. The connection between water quality and mangrove health observed in this study underscores the importance of integrated monitoring approaches in tropical estuarine systems. This work also provides a foundation for future studies exploring microbial processes, nutrient cycling, and the broader implications of water quality changes on coastal wetland ecosystems in Jamaica.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-414042

© Copyright 2025 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.