CCEHBR's mission is to conduct integrated environmental research and
develop diagnostic tools to measure coastal ecosystem health.
Our Approach
CCEHBR's research is based on the
NCCOS Strategic Plan and links, where mutually beneficial, with collaborators
and partners throughout
NOAA, with academic institutes, state and federal agencies, and the international
scientific community.
Partnering, in its broadest sense, is a very strong and integral part of NCCOS and CCEHBR's
research plannning, and implementation.
Strategy
Strategy 1 - Conduct research to develop and apply tools related to coastal ecosystem health and
living marine resource problems. Objectives include:
- characterize adverse effects of natural toxins, environmental contaminants, and
aquatic diseases on living marine resources, protected species, and their habitat
- improve diagnostic tools and techniques for detecting and quantifying the presence
and effects of harmful algal blooms, chemical contaminants, pathogens and diseases
in coastal environments
- design and conduct environmental health research, including collection of laboratory
and field data to validate hypotheses
Strategy 2 - Use research findings to assess impacts of multiple natural and anthropogenic stressors
on coastal ecosystem health. Objectives include:
- utilize research results to assess the impact of individual and cumulative environmental
contaminants and other stressors on living marine resources and habitat
- propose effect levels and criteria to "benchmark" the health of coastal systems
- develop models/methods to evaluate the statistical precision and accuracy of all
techniques used to measure coastal ecosystem health
- test and refine models and methods
Strategy 3 - Develop predictive capabilities to enhance forecasting of coastal habitat and living
marine resource alterations affecting coastal ecosystem health and develop risk-reduction/environmental
management strategies to sustain healthy coasts. Objectives include:
- develop integrated coastal health information
- utilize information to develop risk-based strategies
- utilize information to enhance predictive capabilities
- disseminate information and strategies to coastal managers for decision-making
Strategy 4 - Use strong partnerships for research planning, conduct, and communication. Objectives
include:
- develop effective research partnerships with other federal, state, university and
NGO institutions, and private enterprise
- integrate scientific research planning and findings with needs of federal, state,
and local users
Strategy 5 - Communicate information by a wide variety of outlets. Objectives include:
- publish scientific manuscripts and technical reports
- provide oral reports; dialog with partners, formal presentations
- develop and provide access to selected CCEHBR data systems and databases
- provide for visualization of spatially characterized data (GIS)