One assessment of the overall ecological health of our nation's coastal waters rates them as just "Fair." What are the major ecological threats to our coasts?
Overall Coastal Health
The health of our nation's coastal ecosystems is crucially important to a robust economy, a safe population, and a sustainable quality of life for coastal residents. However, poor water quality, pollution and degradation of coastal habitats all affect the health of plants, animals and people living at the coast. One assessment of combined water, sediment, fish,and habitat health conducted regularly by the EPA, indicates the overall condition of our nation's coastal waters is only "Fair".
- How Overall Coastal Condition is Determined
- U.S. Marine Protected Areas: Conserving Our Nation's Marine Resources
- Controlling Coastal Pollution: Nonpoint Sources
Invasive Species
Non-native species - including plants, animals, and pathogens - are considered to be one of the greatest threats to coastal ecosystems. They have adversely impacted local economies, important fisheries, sensitive coastal ecosystems, and human health. This page highlights only a few examples of how aggressively invasive species can spread in coastal ecosystems as well as the considerable impacts of these invasions.
- How Does a Species Become INVASIVE?
- Ballast Water - A Pathway for Aquatic Invasive Species
- Slowing the Spread: Potential Zebra Mussel Impacts on Energy Infrastructure
Coral Reefs
Coral reef ecosystems support a vast diversity of species and provide our nation with a variety of ecological, economic, and cultural benefits. Despite the provision of multiple valuable services, U.S. coral reef ecosystems—particularly, those in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico region—face numerous natural and anthropogenic threats.
- Trends in Coral Resource Condition and Threat Level
- Marine Protected Areas - A Proven way to Protect
- Coral Reef Biodiversity Benefit Human Health
Nutrient Pollution and Hypoxia
Excessive nutrient inputs from human activities upstream of the coast, even hundreds of miles inland, can degrade the health of coastal ecosystems, especially estuaries. Nutrient pollution can cause a process referred to as eutrophication, which can disrupt recreational activities, and over time, impair the ability of estuaries to support robust fisheries. Symptoms of eutrophication include hypoxia and associated fish kills, algal blooms, overgrowth of seaweeds, and loss of quality fish habitat, such as sea grass beds.
- Nutrient Pollution Impacts Coastal Residents and Economies
- Dead Zones: A Common Symptom of Nutrient Pollution
- Regulating Watershed Nutrients Improves Coastal Health
Chemical Contaminants
NOAA’s Mussel Watch Program – the longest running pollutant monitoring program for coastal waters in the United States – analyzes chemical pollutant trends in oysters and mussels. The program includes over 300 sites with data from half of the sites collected every other year. Since these stationary organisms eat by filtering particles from the water, chemical contaminant levels in their tissues are often a good indicator of local contamination.
- Fire Retardants Emerge as Contaminants of Concern in U.S.
- NOAA Mussel Watch: Indicators of Successful Restoration
- NOAA Scientists Putting Gulf Coast Oysters to the Test
Wetlands
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, and provide numerous tangible benefits to our nation's coastal communities. Wetlands provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife, protection from hurricanes and flooding, and recreational opportunities, as well as removing pollutants from our waters and recharging groundwater supplies. Unfortunately, our nation’s coastal wetlands are in decline, and are further threatened by increasing coastal development and rising sea levels.
- What Exactly Does a Healthy Coastal Wetland Provide to Society?
- Washing Away: Losing Louisiana's Wetlands and Culture
- Restoration of Tribal Wetlands in the Pacific Northwest
Shoreline Types
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, and provide numerous tangible benefits to our nation's coastal communities. Wetlands provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife, protection from hurricanes and flooding, and recreational opportunities, as well as removing pollutants from our waters and recharging groundwater supplies. Unfortunately, our nation’s coastal wetlands are in decline, and are further threatened by increasing coastal development and rising sea levels.
- Environmental Sensitivity Index: How Shoreline Types are Determined
- Shoreline Armoring: The Pros and Cons
