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Mission
To lead the development of predictive, multi-disciplinary, coastal ecosystem-scale research to support sound management decisions
The coastal ocean, estuaries, and Great Lakes are of immense economic and environmental importance to the nation. Currently, more than half of the U.S. population—141 million people—reside within 50 miles of the coast, which occupies only 11 percent of the land area of the lower 48 states.1 The cumulative effects of accelerated development, human activities, and natural hydrologic and climatic patterns have degraded many of the Nation’s water resources and aquatic environments resulting in significant economic and social impact. The complex nature and large-scale nature of many current environmental problems (e.g., climate change, eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, invasive species, and land-use change) require a coordinated, interdisciplinary, ecosystem approach for their study and resolution.
CSCOR uses a regional, multi-disciplinary approach to understanding and predicting the impacts of natural and anthropogenic variability on coastal ecosystems, communities, and economies. The main goal of CSCOR is to improve predictions for coastal management through research to understand and describe coastal systems; data synthesis and modeling to assess and predict ecosystem conditions; and translation of scientific results to engage, inform, and advise the public. CSCOR sponsors competitive, peer-reviewed research to collaborate with and augment NOAA-based research programs focused on the coastal ocean, estuaries, and coastal margins.
1. Bookman, Charles A., Culliton, Thomas J., and Warren, Maureen A., Trends in U.S. coastal regions, 1970-1998: addendum to the proceedings, Trends and future challenges for U.S. national ocean and coastal policy, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA Oceans and Coasts, Special Projects Office, Silver Spring, Md., 1999. Also available online.