![]() Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard Version III(CMECS) July 7th: |
Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification StandardA National Standard to Support Ecosystem-Based Resource ManagementCoastal planners and resource managers routinely face challenges in ensuring data availability, quality, and consistency. This lack of suitable data has prompted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coastal Services Center, in partnership with NatureServe, to develop the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard Version III(CMECS), a standard ecological classification system that is universally applicable for coastal and marine systems and complementary to existing wetland and upland systems. Why CMECS?![]() The CMECS framework accommodates the required physical, biological, and chemical information that collectively determine a marine habitat type. This aids managers in better understanding the processes impacting these habitats. How Will It Be Used?The CMECS structure is designed to support status and trend monitoring, policy development, restoration planning, ecological assessments, and fisheries management at the local and national levels.
CMECS Components![]() CMECS Version III has three distinct components each describing a different aspect of the coastal and marine environment. Taken together, these components provide a structured way to organize information about coastal and marine habitats and a standard terminology for describing them. The fundamental component is the Intended AudienceMappers and data developers Guidance for UsersThe standard will be accompanied by guidance and protocols for mapping and a dichotomous key. Case studies and demonstration data sets will also be available. |