Benjamin "Ben" Norris

"As humans we place a lot of social, cultural, and economic value in the ocean. Anyone that has spent enough time at the coast will understand that variations in the wind and wave climate can have dramatic effects on wave energy and coastal erosion. My research is primarily focused on understanding these nearshore processes with the goal of improving our adaptability to changing coastal conditions. One of the main ideas we are testing is whether existing coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs and mangroves, can be utilized to mitigate hazards while providing other valuable ecosystem services. This approach aims to improve ecosystem functionality and our enjoyment of the coastal environment alike." - Ben Norris, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center