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Measuring benthic productivity at Stellwagen
Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Cahoon 1991)
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NURC-NA&GL supports two types of research. The first is fundamental or basic research that provides
the scientific underpinnings for to management needs. This type of work identifies both pattern and
process in natural and impacted aquatic systems. The second type of research is directly related to
management needs and provides the scientific underpinnings for developing alternatives for
management issues. Both types of research endeavors are critical for applying science to the needs
of society.
Proposal-Based Research Program:
NURC-NA&GL supports research in two ways. The primary pathway for NURC-NA&GL support is by
responding to our annual Announcement of Research Opportunities. Proposals are submitted by
investigators at academic, governmental and private research institutions and generally respond
to identified national and regional research needs. However, we do not discourage investigators
from proposing projects that identify novel issues or areas of interest that have not been
previously addressed. Guidelines have been developed that outline the structure and scope for a
proposal submission and should serve as an important reference. Note the deadlines for our annual
proposal submission process. Proposals are subjected to an external peer review and are rated based
on science quality and relevance to current resource management issues. Successful proposals
receive ship and facilities support (e.g., submersible, ROV, wet diving) as well as science support
funding (e.g., salary, travel, costs for analysis of samples).
An alternative way to obtain research support from NURC-NA&GL is as a Program Development Project.
Program Development proposals can be submitted any time throughout the year and proposals are
generally reviewed internally. Such proposals usually have substantial existing support for ships,
salaries, etc. but request use of an ROV or wet diving support. Some modicum of science support
funding will be considered in outstanding cases.
Center-Based Research Program:
NURC-NA&GL also maintains a Center-based research and education program where senior staff conduct
work in their areas of expertise. Most work is funded by extramural grants to UConn and enhances
the benefits of NURC-NA&GL to the University and the region. Activities fall into three broad areas:
Habitat Ecology of Fishes
- The Habitat Ecology of Fishes project has multiple ongoing studies focused on understanding how
variations in habitats (landscapes) mediate the population dynamics and community composition of
fishes, how human activities affect habitat integrity, and how management actions can lead to the
conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.
Outreach & Education -
Educational and outreach projects are focused on experiential education, development of web-based
outreach approaches, and research focused on the process of environmental education and public
outreach.
Bioacoustics
- Bioacoustic research is focused on determining the effects of low-frequency anthropogenic noise
on hearing in cetaceans; cetacean vocal pathology, audiology and neurophysiology of central
auditory pathways; and the interaction of acoustic capabilities with the acoustic landscape,
especially as it relates to prey location and capture.
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