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Coastal and Ocean Observing
In 1995, the NERRS established its estuarine monitoring program called the System-wide Monitoring Program (SWMP). Through this program, the NERRS measures short-term variability and long-term changes in coastal ecosystems, including locations that span the range of coastal environments from estuaries and coastal waters to watersheds. SWMP has been recognized as a key element in the national Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), and the NERRS is currently developing and testing near-real time data delivery systems and products.
To support the NERRS in these efforts, NERRA was awarded a grant from the NOAA Coastal Services Center to establish the NERRS as a timely provider of environmental information that supports integrated research, education, and stewardship applications in diverse coastal and estuarine ecosystems as a key component of the IOOS.
A pilot effort is underway with eight reserves in two regions (the Pacific Northwest and the Mid-Atlantic) where progress has already been demonstrated towards integrating SWMP data into emerging information products being developed by the respective IOOS Regional Associations (RAs). The Pacific Northwest region encompasses three NERRs and two RAs in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, while the Mid-Atlantic region includes five NERRs and one RA in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.
The NERRS is focusing on two themes for this project: Natural and Anthropogenic Forcings (i.e., storm characterization and impacts) and Coastal Ecosystem Health (i.e., habitat protection and restoration). Initial efforts focus on existing SWMP data streams (water depth and water quality) that can serve near-term users, especially storm forecasters, fish harvesters, and fishery managers. |
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