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For the past decade, NURP has been a pioneer in developing and
supporting unique ocean observing systems. NURP established the
Long-term Ecosystem Observatory (LEO-15), the first cabled seafloor
observatory, located at 15 m in depth on an inner shelf offshore
of Tuckerton, NJ. LEO-15 (right) was designed to address management
questions focused on short- and long-term ecosystem change, such
as, identifying environmental stressors and their impacts over time
and the effects of episodic events (e.g., storms, upwelling, harmful
algal blooms, etc.) on the seafloor. NURP has been fundamental in
the operation and maintenance of other unique observing systems,
such as NOAA's Aquarius, the world's only underwater laboratory,
CariCOOS, FRONT, and CREWS (NOAA's Coral Reef Early Warning System).
Moving Ocean Observatories into the 21st Century
NOAA's Strategic Plan for FY 2003 - FY 2008 recognizes
the role of an "Integrated Global Environmental Observation
and Data Management System" as one of it crosscutting strategic
priorities. The plan states that NOAA will work with its local,
regional, national, and international partners to develop global-to-local
environmental observations and data management for comprehensive,
continuous monitoring of coupled ocean, atmosphere, and land systems.
NOAA's role in the "Integrated Global Environmental Observation
and Data Management System" is to work with and represent its
U.S. partners through the Integrated Ocean Observation System (IOOS).
NURP's Role in Ocean Observing
To support NOAA's role in IOOS, NURP intends to use its unique
capabilities and background in ocean observing science and technology
to leverage and fill gaps in the objectives and/or capabilities
of existing NOAA IOOS efforts.
1. Support Operational Research
Through its regional network of six Centers and the National
Institute for Undersea Science and Technology, NURP provides the
academic research community access to underwater tools to conduct
process-oriented research. This research relies upon an underwater
presence, conducted at multiple scales and over a range of depths.
NURP focuses the academic community to conduct research that directly
supports the operational needs of NOAA. Among the major research
themes that will be part of the Ocean Observatory Research Program
are:
- Climate change, particularly at continental
shelf and slope depths
- Shallow and deep water habitat mapping and
assessment
- The role of gas hydrates in climate change
and seafloor stability
- Deep-sea coral ecosystem research
- Shallow and deep sea fisheries
2. Provide Service to NOAA and to other Ocean Observing Systems
Many NURP Centers and the NIUST maintain an undersea operational
capability (e.g. occupied submersibles, remotely operated vehicles,
conventional and technical diving) that can provide a significant
service to NOAA and academic observation systems. NURP also directly
supports the development of new technologies and sensors. Examples
include:
- Installation, operation, and maintenance
of observatories and sensors
- Search and recovery of lost scientific equipment
- Technology development and testing:
- New sensor
development and application
- Use of
Existing observatories as a test bed for new sensors
and technologies
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NURP ROV having recently recovered a seafloor
observing platform (at right). |
3. Benthic Ecosystem Monitoring Program
One of the major contributions that NURP provides to NOAA's research
mission is quantitative and qualitative data on the status of
seafloor ecosystems. NURP divers and dive systems (submersibles,
remotely operated vehicles, towed camera systems, and autonomous
underwater vehicles) provide imagery (both video and still) that
has been used to assess the health of a wide variety of ecosystems,
including coral reefs, productive fishing banks, canyons, and
seamounts.
4. Education and Outreach
Several NURP Centers have demonstrated the educational value of
experiences at sea. Observatory data can be used to extend such
experiences beyond time spent on the ship and provide teachers
and students an ongoing and dynamic link to real-time events in
the ocean. Furthermore, public access of observatory data products
provides a link to oceans and large lakes for both users (e.g.,
fishermen interested in sea conditions or water temperatures),
as well as individuals who have an interest in the oceans and
large lakes. NURP cooperates with other programs to make its undersea
data available for education and outreach. Examples include:
- Web-based access to real-time and archived data for educators
(e.g. Cool-Classroom) for the Problem Based Learning approach
- Provision for live-link (microwave) of real time video and
imagery products, providing non-traditional data (e.g. visual
response of the environment to observed events and trends),
to NOAA programs (e.g. NERRs, Sanctuaries) and other educational
centers (e.g. COSEE, aquaria).
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