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Ecosystems

NCCOS conducts its research and produces place-based integrated assessments of resources and stressors affecting them in places and habitats of importance to NOAA and NOS. These areas are National Marine Sanctuaries, estuaries, National Estuarine Research Reserves, coral reef ecosystems, and coastal oceans.

Coastal Oceans

Coastal Oceans

The coastal ocean encompasses a broad range of saltwater ecosystems, including estuaries, coral reefs, rocky shores, gravel shores, sandy shores, mud flats, marshes and mangrove forests. These ecosystems exist where streams and rivers meet the sea and where tides and coastal currents mix. Learn more.

Coral Reefs

Coral Reefs

U.S. coral reef ecosystems are complex resources teeming with biological diversity. Coral reefs are vital to fisheries production and coastal protection. They also attract tourists and contribute to maritime and cultural heritage. These fragile ecosystems, however, are susceptible to the effects of extreme events like hurricanes and tropical storms, and human activities like tourism, fishing, and dredging. Learn more.

Estuaries

Estuaries

An estuary is a semi-enclosed coastal body of water that has a measurable salinity gradient from its freshwater drainage to its ocean entrance. Estuaries make up approximately 10.9 million hectares of the coastline of the United States of America.  Learn more.

National Estuarine Research Reserve System: The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) was established by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. It currently consists of 26 protected estuaries that represent different biogeographic regions within the U.S. NERRS helps to further NOAA's mission to sustain healthy coasts by improving the nation's understanding and stewardship of estuaries.

The NERRS estuaries are "living laboratories" in which scientists can conduct research, and educators can communicate research results. NCCOS' research focuses on determining the health status of the reserves, modeling the structure and function of estuarine ecosystem components, and identifying the effects of management actions on estuarine habitats.  Learn more.

National Estuarine Research Reserve System

National Estuarine Research Reserve System

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) was established by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. It currently consists of 26 protected estuaries that represent different biogeographic regions within the United States. NERRS helps to further NOAA's mission to sustain healthy coasts by improving the nation's understanding and stewardship of estuaries.

The NERRS estuaries are "living laboratories" in which scientists can conduct research, and educators can communicate research results. NCCOS' research focuses on determining the health status of the reserves, modeling the structure and function of estuarine ecosystem components, and identifying the effects of management actions on estuarine habitats. Learn more.

Marine Sanctuaries

National Marine Sanctuaries

NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program serves as the trustee for a system of marine protected areas, and works to conserve, protect, and enhance their biodiversity, ecological integrity, and cultural legacy. Managing this range of goals requires an approach that integrates an understanding of the interrelated patterns of human use, ecology, and geography.  Learn more.