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Ecosystems

The geographic scope of CCMA's research stretches from coastal watersheds to the outer boundary of the U.S. 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). CCMA focuses primarily on the ecosystems and areas of focus managed directly and indirectly by NOAA's National Ocean Service. These include coral reefs, national marine sanctuaries, estuaries (including the subset of National Estuarine Research Reserves), and coastal ocean.

Coastal Ocean

Coastal Ocean

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. Read More›

Coral Reefs

Coral Reefs

U.S. coral reef ecosystems are complex resources teeming with biological diversity. Coral reefs are vital to fisheries production and coastal protection. They also attract tourists and contribute to maritime and cultural heritage. These fragile ecosystems, however, are susceptible to the effects of extreme events like hurricanes and tropical storms, and human activities like tourism, fishing, and dredging. Read More›

>Estuaries

Estuaries

An estuary is a semi-enclosed coastal body of water that has a measurable salinity gradient from its freshwater drainage to its ocean entrance. Estuaries make up approximately 10.9 million hectares of the coastline of the U.S. Read More›

National Marine Sanctuaries

National Marine Sanctuaries

NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Program serves as the trustee for a system of marine protected areas, and works to conserve, protect, and enhance their biodiversity, ecological integrity, and cultural legacy. Managing this range of goals requires an approach that integrates an understanding of the interrelated patterns of human use, ecology, and geography. Read More›