The South Slough estuary encompasses a complete environmental gradient of marine, estuarine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats. As such, the South Slough NERR provides an ideal setting for studying estuarine processes and issues, investigations that are applicable to coastal zone management problems.

 

The Research Program will focus efforts during this planning period on increasing use of the Reserve by visiting researchers and as a site for research that has direct relevance to management of the larger Coos estuary. The Reserve will continue to participate in NERRS research initiatives, and plans to expand the SWMP. Additionally, South Slough NERR has identified several priorities for research over the course of this planning period.

Conduct and coordinate research that increases understanding of ecological dynamics in the different hydrogeomorphic regions of South Slough, Coos Bay, and other Pacific Northwest estuaries.

The Reserve collaborates with local, state, and regional agencies and organizations to make information about coastal ecosystems available to resource managers, policy makers, and

coastal communities.  Research activities in the South Slough NERR are conducted by outside investigators, students, and Reserve scientists and may focus on a wide range of topics.  Three themes have been identified for ongoing and future scientific investigations in the Reserve and to provide direction for researchers interested in working in the South Slough NERR.