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Coastal Ocean Ecosystems
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.
Coastal ocean ecosystems provide countless ecological and economic benefits. At least two-thirds of the nation’s commercial fish and shellfish use these ecosystems for spawning grounds and nurseries. In addition, the wetlands associated with estuaries buffer uplands from flooding. Coastal areas also provide many recreational opportunities, which contribute to a community’s economic health. Part of NOAA’s mission is to “understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our nation’s economic, social and environmental needs.” NCCOS is essential to fulfilling this mission by providing the scientific foundation that ensures the proper conservation and management of these resources.
However, U.S. coastal ecosystems are facing growing environmental pressures from pollution, land and resource use, invasive species, climate change, and extreme events. Today, over 50 percent of the nation’s population lives within 50 miles of the coastline. Such population pressure, which is expected to grow in the future, brings with it increased development, agriculture, and aquaculture. Such activities contribute to reductions in mangroves, coastal wetlands, seagrasses and coral reefs at alarming rates. In addition, coastal ocean ecosystems are being affected by overfishing and destructive trawling techniques. Experts estimate that approximately 34 percent of the world’s coasts are at high risk of degradation.
NCCOS works to understand and anticipate changes in coastal ecosystems as they become stressed. For example, NCCOS scientists are studying the warmer bottom water temperatures found along the continental shelf off North Carolina and how these temperatures are affecting the area’s species composition. NCCOS is also evaluating different habitat restoration techniques for seagrass beds, oyster beds, and coral reefs. In addition, they are exploring the extent of and reasons for the declines in the nation’s coral reefs.
NCCOS science aims to respond directly to coastal managers’ needs by providing them with scientifically sound information, and management tools and techniques. Specifically, NCCOS translates its scientific results into Ecological Forecasts, which provide managers with precise, practical information to help them make more informed decisions. Such service to coastal managers is at the heart of NCCOS’ mission, which aims to make NCCOS the source of scientific information and tools that coastal managers need to balance society’s environmental, social and economic goals.
NCCOS strives to ensure that managers can rely on NCCOS for information on how to maintain ecosystems at sustainable levels, determine how human activities will affect the coast, and successfully mitigate the effects of natural events on coastal ecosystems.
To look up NCCOS projects affecting Coastal Oceans, use the NCCOS Project Explorer (opens in a new window).
Related Links
- Finbase website
- Coastal Oceans Research at Hollings Marine Laboratory in Charleston, SC
