Stephen Baines is focused on the ecological reshaping of coastal wetlands. Host Heather Lynch and Baines, an associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution, discuss the impact of non-native species, nitrogen's role in marsh stability, the influence of iron fertilization on ocean ecosystems, and the complexities of coastal conservation. Baines is concerned about keeping coastal marshes intact amid rising sea levels and human infrastructure, and the importance of native plant gardening to support local biodiversity.

Learn more with:

• “Lakes as sentinels of climate change” by Rita Adrian, Catherine M O'Reilly, Horacio Zagarese, Stephen B Baines, Dag O Hessen, Wendel Keller, David M Livingstone, Ruben Sommaruga, Dietmar Straile, Ellen Van Donk, Gesa A Weyhenmeyer, Monika Winder
• “The production of dissolved organic matter by phytoplankton and its importance to bacteria: patterns across marine and freshwater systems” by Stephen B Baines, Michael L Pace
• “Luxury iron uptake and storage in pennate diatoms from the equatorial Pacific Ocean” by Benjamin S Twining, Stephen B Baines
• “Plant Traits Explain Seasonal and Spatial Variation in Denitrification Within Spartina Alterniflora Wetlands” by Stephen B Baines, Priscilla Moley, Mary Alldred

Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you:

00:33 Impact of Climate Change on Species Redistribution

00:59 Exploring Coastal Wetlands and Marshes

01:31 Understanding Salt Marsh Plant Species

06:39 Nitrogen's Role in Coastal Marsh Stability

16:51 Fiddler Crabs and Their Environmental Impact

22:10 Challenges of Sea Level Rise and Marsh Sustainability

28:02 Concerns About Coastal Development

28:14 Economic Models for Coastal Adaptation

28:40 Emotional Ties to Coastal Living

29:11 Sea Level Rise Models and Predictions

29:31 Historical Context of Coastal Areas

30:00 Challenges in Coastal Management

30:07 Switching to Ocean Chemistry

30:35 Iron Fertilization and Carbon Capture

30:57 The Role of Iron in Ocean Ecosystems

32:51 Experiments and Debates on Iron Fertilization

34:13 Potential Risks and Consequences

35:36 Challenges in Large-Scale Experiments

36:14 Political and Economic Implications

36:41 Nutrient Redistribution and Global Impact

38:07 Practical Challenges in Implementation

39:36 Bridging Science and Art for Public Outreach

48:28 The Importance of Native Plant Gardens

50:53 Concluding Thoughts and Future Episodes

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C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth.

Host: Heather Lynch

Editor: J.D. Allen

Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday