Calla Schmidt, PhD is a hydrologist who focuses on human impacts to water quality. She’s been teaching in the Environmental Science department at USF and, occasionally, in the MSEM program for nearly 12 years. Her research plays an important role in sustainably managing water resources across the San Francisco Bay.
We recently connected with Professor Schmidt to learn more about her current projects and get her perspective on career opportunities in environmental management.
You’ve been collaborating with the National Parks Service (NPS) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) recently. Tell us about that.
Yes – in fact, I’ve been working on two long-term projects in which both these agencies have been involved.
One is a stream restoration project in Muir Woods. The primary question we set out to answer: If we reverse channel incision and reconnect small streams with their floodplains, can we store more groundwater? This Fall, we’ll be back in the field to measure the impact of this restoration work. Stream restoration is a long, slow process that requires tracking and monitoring over time… Did we successfully trap sediment? Did that reduce incision? Does that actually produce greater groundwater storage?
Another project I’m working on concerns harmful algal blooms in Rodeo Lagoon. These chronic blooms have been causing low oxygen events that threaten endangered species such as tidewater gobies, typically happening in October. In this case, it’s not immediately clear what’s causing the eutrophication. Typically we think about runoff from fertilizer or wastewater treatment plants, but this lagoon is in a national park where these nutrient sources are not present at any meaningful level. Rather, it appears there may be some internal nutrient cycling mechanism at play. When the military managed the site years ago, they built a dam across the lagoon to create a freshwater lake on the inland side. There are still a lot of scientific questions we’re exploring, but we believe the dam changes the frequency with which the lagoon breaches and can flush to the ocean, so nutrient rich sediments can build up and create the nutrient source that results in the algal blooms – and ultimately kills fish due to low oxygen availability when the bloom dies off and decomposes.
Interesting! What are some of the environmental management questions and opportunities that come with projects like these?
With the Rodeo Lagoon algal blooms, there are some really tough environmental management questions that will likely arise once we have a few more answers to our scientific questions. For example: Should we dredge the lagoon? If so, where would we put the dredged sediment? How long would it take before organic sediments built up again? Is removing the dam something we should consider? If so, what unintended consequences might result?
In the Muir Woods stream restoration project, we’re focused on groundwater storage. But if we’re successful in creating shallow groundwater in the flood plain, that might lead to an increase in riparian plants or healthier trees in the surrounding area – which would, in turn, increase the evapotranspiration flux. So we might not actually see increased groundwater storage. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In this work, there are always so many considerations and interconnections, it’s important to remember the bigger picture. And environmental managers have to think about the practical trade-offs in some cases.
Are there opportunities for students to get involved in your research?
Yes. I’ve involved many undergrad environmental science students in my research, and I’m open to working with MSEM students as well. Also, I’m excited about teaming with Professor Paul Nesbit in the Geospatial Analysis Lab (GsAL) this fall when we go back into the field to measure how the restored stream channels have changed over time at the Muir Woods site. We’re going to use terrestrial LiDAR to re-scan the channels and will be creating 3D models of the channel that allow us to precisely measure sediment accumulation over time. This is challenging work that creates opportunities for students interested in applying their GIS skills to get involved.
From your vantage point, what makes the MSEM program special?
Because of its applied focus, MSEM is a very solution-oriented, action-oriented program. Each course happens over the course of eight weeks, so you get exposed to a lot of different topics – and can then dive in deeper (or not) depending on your interests. This helps the program work well both for people already working in the field who want to advance their careers as well as people from different backgrounds seeking a career switch.
What advice do you have for MSEM students thinking about their next career move?
First, there are such great career prospects across the environmental management field. Big scientific questions lead to big management opportunities, and the size and scope of projects in things like wetland restoration, shoreline mitigation, dam removal, and more are only continuing to grow.
Also, remember, there are a lot of people out there willing to help get you started in the right direction. As a student, you have a really special opportunity to tap into experts while working on your master’s research project, for example. There’s a wonderful glow that happens when a student emails or calls someone with smart questions about the work they do. Experts will be so generous with their time, sharing insights that can be exceptionally useful not only to your academic work but also to building your network and developing your competency as you think about and pursue that next career step.
