Mangroves grow along the coast in La Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico. Mangroves help protect the coast during storms.
Coastal Ecosystems
Our coasts contain many types of ecosystems, including marshes, mangroves, permafrost bluffs, kelp forests, and sandy beaches. Each of these contain specific organisms that are affected by the processes and hazards of coastal change. USGS brings together expertise in biology, hydrology, ecology, landscape science, geospatial applications, and decision support for coastal habitats.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Coastal habitats include estuaries, wetlands and marshes, coral reefs, kelp forests, tidepools, and barrier islands provide essential ecosystem services. These habitats protect coastlines from storms and flooding impacts, support economically important fisheries, improve water quality by filtering out toxins, and provide habitat for diverse wildlife. The USGS provides scientific information and tools for coastal and wildlife managers to assess and forecast the health and resilience of protected and public lands, including national parks, estuarine research reserves, and wildlife refuges.
Coastal habitats serve as the interface between land and sea, and the health of our coastal ecosystems and the species that rely upon them are influenced by both terrestrial and marine conditions. USGS scientists apply their interdisciplinary expertise and collaborate to gain the most comprehensive understanding of our coastal ecosystems. We integrate hydrology, geology, chemistry, and computer modeling to study natural environments, the biology of at-risk species, and broader ecological and physiological processes. This work provides information to policymakers and aids managers in their stewardship of natural resources and in regulatory functions.
Threatened and Endangered Species
USGS science helps inform conservation strategies and recovery plans for at-risk, threatened and endangered species that use coastal habitats for all or part of their lives, such as migratory shorebirds, sea turtles, aquatic mammals, fishes, corals, and plants. Using spatial analysis and ecological modeling, USGS scientists examine and predict the effects of different management scenarios for threatened species like Gulf sturgeon, beach mice, piping plovers and other shorebirds. For example, tracking the migration of loggerhead sea turtles helps USGS scientists and managers better understand turtle movement patterns and habitat use, and assess how hurricanes, dredging operations and replenishing coastal sediments, and other nearshore activities influence their nesting and migratory behavior.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Coastal Ecosystem Threats and Responses to Change
The USGS uses innovative genetic and chemical techniques to monitor coastal ecosystem threats such as harmful algal blooms, pollution and contamination, climate change, and coral diseases. These threats are major causes of environmental degradation and wildlife mortality worldwide, so it is important to identify how they affect the health of our coastal ecosystems.
Additionally, the USGS investigates how coastal habitats are responding to changing environmental conditions, including sea-level rise, increased sea temperatures, and increased hurricane intensity and frequency, and what this might mean for the coastal communities that depend upon the services they provide. The USGS and partners are working to anticipate future changes and ensure resource managers and policy makers have the necessary information to make effective decisions related to the protection, restoration, and adaption of coastal habitats and species throughout the United States.
Science
Walrus Research
The USGS Alaska Science Center conducts long-term research on the Pacific walrus to provide scientific information to Department of Interior management agencies and Alaska Native co-management partners. In addition, the USGS Pacific walrus research program collaborates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the State of Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game and Alaska Native co...
Polar Bear Research
Polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) are one of 4 marine mammal species managed by the U.S. Department of Interior. The USGS Alaska Science Center leads long–term research on polar bears to inform local, state, national and international policy makers regarding conservation of the species and its habitat. Our studies, ongoing since 1985, are focused on population dynamics, health and energetics...
Nearshore Marine Ecosystem Research
Nearshore ecosystems include many resources that are of high ecological, recreational, subsistence, and economic value. They also are subject to influences from a wide variety of natural and human-caused perturbations, which can originate in terrestrial or oceanic environments. Our research is designed to evaluate sources of variation in the nearshore and how they influence resources of high...
Coral Reef Project
Explore the fascinating undersea world of coral reefs. Learn how we map, monitor, and model coral reefs so we can better understand, protect, and preserve our Nation's reefs.
Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound
A Pacific Northwest icon, Puget Sound is the second-largest estuary in the United States. Its unique geology, climate, and nutrient-rich waters produce and sustain biologically productive coastal habitats. These same natural characteristics also contribute to a high quality of life that has led to growth in human population and urbanization. This growth has played a role in degrading the Sound...
Multimedia
Mangroves grow along the coast in La Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico
Mangroves grow along the coast in La Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico. Mangroves help protect the coast during storms.
Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, Rincón, Puerto Rico
Coral reef in Tres Palmas Marine Reserve at Steps Beach, Rincón, Puerto Rico.
Coral reef in Tres Palmas Marine Reserve at Steps Beach, Rincón, Puerto Rico.
Western sandpiper in San Francisco Bay
A Western sandpiper in San Francisco Bay.
A Western sandpiper in San Francisco Bay.
Sea Otters
Three of the nine wild sea otter populations in the U.S. are federally listed as threatened. In California, USGS biologists have lead an annual population census to assess the local populations' recovery, working closely with state agencies and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Three of the nine wild sea otter populations in the U.S. are federally listed as threatened. In California, USGS biologists have lead an annual population census to assess the local populations' recovery, working closely with state agencies and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Lettuce coral with cerulean and domino damselfish
Cerulean damselfish dart around lettuce coral off the Cape Range National Park along the Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia. USGS researchers combined forces with Australian colleagues in this UNESCO World Heritage Site to conduct the most extensive study of how erosion of reefs contribute sand to the beaches—a coast’s natural armor.
Cerulean damselfish dart around lettuce coral off the Cape Range National Park along the Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia. USGS researchers combined forces with Australian colleagues in this UNESCO World Heritage Site to conduct the most extensive study of how erosion of reefs contribute sand to the beaches—a coast’s natural armor.
Red Mangrove Trees
Red mangrove trees fringe the shoreline of a bay in Hurricane Hole, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Red mangrove trees fringe the shoreline of a bay in Hurricane Hole, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Coral reefs, Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands
Underwater image of a wave breaking over a coral reef on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. This image shows how the high hydrodynamic roughness of live, healthy corals causes friction that induces breaking of waves over coral reefs, reducing wave energy at the shoreline that can cause flooding and island overwash.
Underwater image of a wave breaking over a coral reef on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. This image shows how the high hydrodynamic roughness of live, healthy corals causes friction that induces breaking of waves over coral reefs, reducing wave energy at the shoreline that can cause flooding and island overwash.
Filter Total Items: 13
Walrus Research
The USGS Alaska Science Center conducts long-term research on the Pacific walrus to provide scientific information to Department of Interior management agencies and Alaska Native co-management partners. In addition, the USGS Pacific walrus research program collaborates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the State of Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game and Alaska Native co...
Polar Bear Research
Polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) are one of 4 marine mammal species managed by the U.S. Department of Interior. The USGS Alaska Science Center leads long–term research on polar bears to inform local, state, national and international policy makers regarding conservation of the species and its habitat. Our studies, ongoing since 1985, are focused on population dynamics, health and energetics...
Nearshore Marine Ecosystem Research
Nearshore ecosystems include many resources that are of high ecological, recreational, subsistence, and economic value. They also are subject to influences from a wide variety of natural and human-caused perturbations, which can originate in terrestrial or oceanic environments. Our research is designed to evaluate sources of variation in the nearshore and how they influence resources of high...
Coral Reef Project
Explore the fascinating undersea world of coral reefs. Learn how we map, monitor, and model coral reefs so we can better understand, protect, and preserve our Nation's reefs.
Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound
A Pacific Northwest icon, Puget Sound is the second-largest estuary in the United States. Its unique geology, climate, and nutrient-rich waters produce and sustain biologically productive coastal habitats. These same natural characteristics also contribute to a high quality of life that has led to growth in human population and urbanization. This growth has played a role in degrading the Sound...
Climate impacts on Monterey Bay area beaches
For beach towns around Monterey Bay, preserving the beaches by mitigating coastal erosion is vital. Surveys conducted now and regularly in the future will help scientists understand the short- and long-term impacts of climate change, El Niño years, and sea-level rise on a populated and vulnerable coastline.
Sediment transport between estuarine habitats in San Francisco Bay
We investigate mechanisms of sediment transport, resuspension dynamics in shoals, wave evolution in the shallows, wave attenuation in marshes, and transport of sediment between mudflats and marshes. We produce data sets for calibration of and comparison with sediment transport models, including wave parameters, suspended sediment concentration, and sediment flux.
Puget Sound Priority Ecosystems Science
Puget Sound Priority Ecosystem Science (PES) supports interdisciplinary ecological research in the Puget Sound, Washington, watershed and nearshore.
Estuaries and large river deltas in the Pacific Northwest
Essential habitat for wild salmon and other wildlife borders river deltas and estuaries in the Pacific Northwest. These estuaries also support industry, agriculture, and a large human population that’s expected to double by the year 2060, but each could suffer from more severe river floods, higher sea level, and storm surges caused by climate change.
USGS science supporting the Elwha River Restoration Project
The Elwha River Restoration Project has reconnected the water, salmon, and sediment of a pristine river and coast of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington.
Estuarine Processes, Hazards, and Ecosystems
Estuarine processes, hazards, and ecosystems describes several interdisciplinary projects that aim to quantify and understand estuarine processes through observations and numerical modeling. Both the spatial and temporal scales of these mechanisms are important, and therefore require modern instrumentation and state-of-the-art hydrodynamic models. These projects are led from the U.S. Geological...
Environmental Geochemistry
Coastal Environmental Geochemistry research at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center spans multiple ecosystems and topics, including coastal wetlands, aquifers, and estuaries, with the goal of providing data and guidance to federal, state, local, and private land owners and managers on these vital ecosystems.
Mangroves grow along the coast in La Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico
Mangroves grow along the coast in La Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico. Mangroves help protect the coast during storms.
Mangroves grow along the coast in La Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico. Mangroves help protect the coast during storms.
Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, Rincón, Puerto Rico
Coral reef in Tres Palmas Marine Reserve at Steps Beach, Rincón, Puerto Rico.
Coral reef in Tres Palmas Marine Reserve at Steps Beach, Rincón, Puerto Rico.
Western sandpiper in San Francisco Bay
A Western sandpiper in San Francisco Bay.
A Western sandpiper in San Francisco Bay.
Sea Otters
Three of the nine wild sea otter populations in the U.S. are federally listed as threatened. In California, USGS biologists have lead an annual population census to assess the local populations' recovery, working closely with state agencies and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Three of the nine wild sea otter populations in the U.S. are federally listed as threatened. In California, USGS biologists have lead an annual population census to assess the local populations' recovery, working closely with state agencies and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Lettuce coral with cerulean and domino damselfish
Cerulean damselfish dart around lettuce coral off the Cape Range National Park along the Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia. USGS researchers combined forces with Australian colleagues in this UNESCO World Heritage Site to conduct the most extensive study of how erosion of reefs contribute sand to the beaches—a coast’s natural armor.
Cerulean damselfish dart around lettuce coral off the Cape Range National Park along the Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia. USGS researchers combined forces with Australian colleagues in this UNESCO World Heritage Site to conduct the most extensive study of how erosion of reefs contribute sand to the beaches—a coast’s natural armor.
Red Mangrove Trees
Red mangrove trees fringe the shoreline of a bay in Hurricane Hole, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Red mangrove trees fringe the shoreline of a bay in Hurricane Hole, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Coral reefs, Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands
Underwater image of a wave breaking over a coral reef on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. This image shows how the high hydrodynamic roughness of live, healthy corals causes friction that induces breaking of waves over coral reefs, reducing wave energy at the shoreline that can cause flooding and island overwash.
Underwater image of a wave breaking over a coral reef on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. This image shows how the high hydrodynamic roughness of live, healthy corals causes friction that induces breaking of waves over coral reefs, reducing wave energy at the shoreline that can cause flooding and island overwash.
Corals Growing Under Red Mangrove Prop Roots
Several species of scleractinian corals growing under red mangrove prop roots.
Several species of scleractinian corals growing under red mangrove prop roots.
Coastal wetlands near Port Fourchon, La., Northern Gulf of Mexico
To understand how changes in rainfall and temperature might affect coastal wetlands in the northern Gulf of Mexico, USGS researchers conducted field studies at 10 estuaries in five states (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida). The fieldwork took place in a variety of coastal wetland types, including mangroves, marshes, and salt flats.
To understand how changes in rainfall and temperature might affect coastal wetlands in the northern Gulf of Mexico, USGS researchers conducted field studies at 10 estuaries in five states (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida). The fieldwork took place in a variety of coastal wetland types, including mangroves, marshes, and salt flats.
Healthy coral reef in the Tumon Bay Marine Preserve
A healthy coral reef in the Tumon Bay Marine Preserve off Tumon, Guam, showing a number of different species of fish swimming over a high coral cover reef composed of a number of hard and soft coral species.
A healthy coral reef in the Tumon Bay Marine Preserve off Tumon, Guam, showing a number of different species of fish swimming over a high coral cover reef composed of a number of hard and soft coral species.
Red Mangrove trees
The seedlings of Red Mangrove trees germinate from fruits while still attached to the trees. Here many are growing within the roots of adult trees.
The seedlings of Red Mangrove trees germinate from fruits while still attached to the trees. Here many are growing within the roots of adult trees.
Red Mangrove Trees
A view of red mangrove trees and their prop roots above and below the water surface.
A view of red mangrove trees and their prop roots above and below the water surface.
Kelp Forest
Kelp forests are often called the rainforest of the sea. They support wide varieties of marine life. Sea otters are both a sentinal and a keystone species for the health of kelp forests. Without sea otters, there is a shift in the ecosystem that can severly damage the kelp forests.
Kelp forests are often called the rainforest of the sea. They support wide varieties of marine life. Sea otters are both a sentinal and a keystone species for the health of kelp forests. Without sea otters, there is a shift in the ecosystem that can severly damage the kelp forests.
An Adult Polar Bear and Her Two Cubs
An adult female polar bear and her two cubs travel across the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean north of the Alaska coast.
An adult female polar bear and her two cubs travel across the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean north of the Alaska coast.
Sea Otter Ready for a Nap
This southern sea otter is settling down to rest in a small patch of Egregia (feather boa kelp). Find more sea otter photos at the USFWS Ventura sea otter Flickr gallery.
This southern sea otter is settling down to rest in a small patch of Egregia (feather boa kelp). Find more sea otter photos at the USFWS Ventura sea otter Flickr gallery.
Our coasts contain many types of ecosystems, including marshes, mangroves, permafrost bluffs, kelp forests, and sandy beaches. Each of these contain specific organisms that are affected by the processes and hazards of coastal change. USGS brings together expertise in biology, hydrology, ecology, landscape science, geospatial applications, and decision support for coastal habitats.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Coastal habitats include estuaries, wetlands and marshes, coral reefs, kelp forests, tidepools, and barrier islands provide essential ecosystem services. These habitats protect coastlines from storms and flooding impacts, support economically important fisheries, improve water quality by filtering out toxins, and provide habitat for diverse wildlife. The USGS provides scientific information and tools for coastal and wildlife managers to assess and forecast the health and resilience of protected and public lands, including national parks, estuarine research reserves, and wildlife refuges.
Coastal habitats serve as the interface between land and sea, and the health of our coastal ecosystems and the species that rely upon them are influenced by both terrestrial and marine conditions. USGS scientists apply their interdisciplinary expertise and collaborate to gain the most comprehensive understanding of our coastal ecosystems. We integrate hydrology, geology, chemistry, and computer modeling to study natural environments, the biology of at-risk species, and broader ecological and physiological processes. This work provides information to policymakers and aids managers in their stewardship of natural resources and in regulatory functions.
Threatened and Endangered Species
USGS science helps inform conservation strategies and recovery plans for at-risk, threatened and endangered species that use coastal habitats for all or part of their lives, such as migratory shorebirds, sea turtles, aquatic mammals, fishes, corals, and plants. Using spatial analysis and ecological modeling, USGS scientists examine and predict the effects of different management scenarios for threatened species like Gulf sturgeon, beach mice, piping plovers and other shorebirds. For example, tracking the migration of loggerhead sea turtles helps USGS scientists and managers better understand turtle movement patterns and habitat use, and assess how hurricanes, dredging operations and replenishing coastal sediments, and other nearshore activities influence their nesting and migratory behavior.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Coastal Ecosystem Threats and Responses to Change
The USGS uses innovative genetic and chemical techniques to monitor coastal ecosystem threats such as harmful algal blooms, pollution and contamination, climate change, and coral diseases. These threats are major causes of environmental degradation and wildlife mortality worldwide, so it is important to identify how they affect the health of our coastal ecosystems.
Additionally, the USGS investigates how coastal habitats are responding to changing environmental conditions, including sea-level rise, increased sea temperatures, and increased hurricane intensity and frequency, and what this might mean for the coastal communities that depend upon the services they provide. The USGS and partners are working to anticipate future changes and ensure resource managers and policy makers have the necessary information to make effective decisions related to the protection, restoration, and adaption of coastal habitats and species throughout the United States.
Science
Walrus Research
The USGS Alaska Science Center conducts long-term research on the Pacific walrus to provide scientific information to Department of Interior management agencies and Alaska Native co-management partners. In addition, the USGS Pacific walrus research program collaborates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the State of Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game and Alaska Native co...
Polar Bear Research
Polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) are one of 4 marine mammal species managed by the U.S. Department of Interior. The USGS Alaska Science Center leads long–term research on polar bears to inform local, state, national and international policy makers regarding conservation of the species and its habitat. Our studies, ongoing since 1985, are focused on population dynamics, health and energetics...
Nearshore Marine Ecosystem Research
Nearshore ecosystems include many resources that are of high ecological, recreational, subsistence, and economic value. They also are subject to influences from a wide variety of natural and human-caused perturbations, which can originate in terrestrial or oceanic environments. Our research is designed to evaluate sources of variation in the nearshore and how they influence resources of high...
Coral Reef Project
Explore the fascinating undersea world of coral reefs. Learn how we map, monitor, and model coral reefs so we can better understand, protect, and preserve our Nation's reefs.
Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound
A Pacific Northwest icon, Puget Sound is the second-largest estuary in the United States. Its unique geology, climate, and nutrient-rich waters produce and sustain biologically productive coastal habitats. These same natural characteristics also contribute to a high quality of life that has led to growth in human population and urbanization. This growth has played a role in degrading the Sound...
Multimedia
Mangroves grow along the coast in La Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico
Mangroves grow along the coast in La Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico. Mangroves help protect the coast during storms.
Mangroves grow along the coast in La Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico. Mangroves help protect the coast during storms.
Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, Rincón, Puerto Rico
Coral reef in Tres Palmas Marine Reserve at Steps Beach, Rincón, Puerto Rico.
Coral reef in Tres Palmas Marine Reserve at Steps Beach, Rincón, Puerto Rico.
Western sandpiper in San Francisco Bay
A Western sandpiper in San Francisco Bay.
A Western sandpiper in San Francisco Bay.
Sea Otters
Three of the nine wild sea otter populations in the U.S. are federally listed as threatened. In California, USGS biologists have lead an annual population census to assess the local populations' recovery, working closely with state agencies and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Three of the nine wild sea otter populations in the U.S. are federally listed as threatened. In California, USGS biologists have lead an annual population census to assess the local populations' recovery, working closely with state agencies and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Lettuce coral with cerulean and domino damselfish
Cerulean damselfish dart around lettuce coral off the Cape Range National Park along the Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia. USGS researchers combined forces with Australian colleagues in this UNESCO World Heritage Site to conduct the most extensive study of how erosion of reefs contribute sand to the beaches—a coast’s natural armor.
Cerulean damselfish dart around lettuce coral off the Cape Range National Park along the Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia. USGS researchers combined forces with Australian colleagues in this UNESCO World Heritage Site to conduct the most extensive study of how erosion of reefs contribute sand to the beaches—a coast’s natural armor.
Red Mangrove Trees
Red mangrove trees fringe the shoreline of a bay in Hurricane Hole, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Red mangrove trees fringe the shoreline of a bay in Hurricane Hole, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Coral reefs, Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands
Underwater image of a wave breaking over a coral reef on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. This image shows how the high hydrodynamic roughness of live, healthy corals causes friction that induces breaking of waves over coral reefs, reducing wave energy at the shoreline that can cause flooding and island overwash.
Underwater image of a wave breaking over a coral reef on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. This image shows how the high hydrodynamic roughness of live, healthy corals causes friction that induces breaking of waves over coral reefs, reducing wave energy at the shoreline that can cause flooding and island overwash.
Filter Total Items: 13
Walrus Research
The USGS Alaska Science Center conducts long-term research on the Pacific walrus to provide scientific information to Department of Interior management agencies and Alaska Native co-management partners. In addition, the USGS Pacific walrus research program collaborates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the State of Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game and Alaska Native co...
Polar Bear Research
Polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) are one of 4 marine mammal species managed by the U.S. Department of Interior. The USGS Alaska Science Center leads long–term research on polar bears to inform local, state, national and international policy makers regarding conservation of the species and its habitat. Our studies, ongoing since 1985, are focused on population dynamics, health and energetics...
Nearshore Marine Ecosystem Research
Nearshore ecosystems include many resources that are of high ecological, recreational, subsistence, and economic value. They also are subject to influences from a wide variety of natural and human-caused perturbations, which can originate in terrestrial or oceanic environments. Our research is designed to evaluate sources of variation in the nearshore and how they influence resources of high...
Coral Reef Project
Explore the fascinating undersea world of coral reefs. Learn how we map, monitor, and model coral reefs so we can better understand, protect, and preserve our Nation's reefs.
Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound
A Pacific Northwest icon, Puget Sound is the second-largest estuary in the United States. Its unique geology, climate, and nutrient-rich waters produce and sustain biologically productive coastal habitats. These same natural characteristics also contribute to a high quality of life that has led to growth in human population and urbanization. This growth has played a role in degrading the Sound...
Climate impacts on Monterey Bay area beaches
For beach towns around Monterey Bay, preserving the beaches by mitigating coastal erosion is vital. Surveys conducted now and regularly in the future will help scientists understand the short- and long-term impacts of climate change, El Niño years, and sea-level rise on a populated and vulnerable coastline.
Sediment transport between estuarine habitats in San Francisco Bay
We investigate mechanisms of sediment transport, resuspension dynamics in shoals, wave evolution in the shallows, wave attenuation in marshes, and transport of sediment between mudflats and marshes. We produce data sets for calibration of and comparison with sediment transport models, including wave parameters, suspended sediment concentration, and sediment flux.
Puget Sound Priority Ecosystems Science
Puget Sound Priority Ecosystem Science (PES) supports interdisciplinary ecological research in the Puget Sound, Washington, watershed and nearshore.
Estuaries and large river deltas in the Pacific Northwest
Essential habitat for wild salmon and other wildlife borders river deltas and estuaries in the Pacific Northwest. These estuaries also support industry, agriculture, and a large human population that’s expected to double by the year 2060, but each could suffer from more severe river floods, higher sea level, and storm surges caused by climate change.
USGS science supporting the Elwha River Restoration Project
The Elwha River Restoration Project has reconnected the water, salmon, and sediment of a pristine river and coast of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington.
Estuarine Processes, Hazards, and Ecosystems
Estuarine processes, hazards, and ecosystems describes several interdisciplinary projects that aim to quantify and understand estuarine processes through observations and numerical modeling. Both the spatial and temporal scales of these mechanisms are important, and therefore require modern instrumentation and state-of-the-art hydrodynamic models. These projects are led from the U.S. Geological...
Environmental Geochemistry
Coastal Environmental Geochemistry research at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center spans multiple ecosystems and topics, including coastal wetlands, aquifers, and estuaries, with the goal of providing data and guidance to federal, state, local, and private land owners and managers on these vital ecosystems.
Mangroves grow along the coast in La Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico
Mangroves grow along the coast in La Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico. Mangroves help protect the coast during storms.
Mangroves grow along the coast in La Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico. Mangroves help protect the coast during storms.
Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, Rincón, Puerto Rico
Coral reef in Tres Palmas Marine Reserve at Steps Beach, Rincón, Puerto Rico.
Coral reef in Tres Palmas Marine Reserve at Steps Beach, Rincón, Puerto Rico.
Western sandpiper in San Francisco Bay
A Western sandpiper in San Francisco Bay.
A Western sandpiper in San Francisco Bay.
Sea Otters
Three of the nine wild sea otter populations in the U.S. are federally listed as threatened. In California, USGS biologists have lead an annual population census to assess the local populations' recovery, working closely with state agencies and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Three of the nine wild sea otter populations in the U.S. are federally listed as threatened. In California, USGS biologists have lead an annual population census to assess the local populations' recovery, working closely with state agencies and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Lettuce coral with cerulean and domino damselfish
Cerulean damselfish dart around lettuce coral off the Cape Range National Park along the Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia. USGS researchers combined forces with Australian colleagues in this UNESCO World Heritage Site to conduct the most extensive study of how erosion of reefs contribute sand to the beaches—a coast’s natural armor.
Cerulean damselfish dart around lettuce coral off the Cape Range National Park along the Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia. USGS researchers combined forces with Australian colleagues in this UNESCO World Heritage Site to conduct the most extensive study of how erosion of reefs contribute sand to the beaches—a coast’s natural armor.
Red Mangrove Trees
Red mangrove trees fringe the shoreline of a bay in Hurricane Hole, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Red mangrove trees fringe the shoreline of a bay in Hurricane Hole, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Coral reefs, Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands
Underwater image of a wave breaking over a coral reef on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. This image shows how the high hydrodynamic roughness of live, healthy corals causes friction that induces breaking of waves over coral reefs, reducing wave energy at the shoreline that can cause flooding and island overwash.
Underwater image of a wave breaking over a coral reef on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. This image shows how the high hydrodynamic roughness of live, healthy corals causes friction that induces breaking of waves over coral reefs, reducing wave energy at the shoreline that can cause flooding and island overwash.
Corals Growing Under Red Mangrove Prop Roots
Several species of scleractinian corals growing under red mangrove prop roots.
Several species of scleractinian corals growing under red mangrove prop roots.
Coastal wetlands near Port Fourchon, La., Northern Gulf of Mexico
To understand how changes in rainfall and temperature might affect coastal wetlands in the northern Gulf of Mexico, USGS researchers conducted field studies at 10 estuaries in five states (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida). The fieldwork took place in a variety of coastal wetland types, including mangroves, marshes, and salt flats.
To understand how changes in rainfall and temperature might affect coastal wetlands in the northern Gulf of Mexico, USGS researchers conducted field studies at 10 estuaries in five states (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida). The fieldwork took place in a variety of coastal wetland types, including mangroves, marshes, and salt flats.
Healthy coral reef in the Tumon Bay Marine Preserve
A healthy coral reef in the Tumon Bay Marine Preserve off Tumon, Guam, showing a number of different species of fish swimming over a high coral cover reef composed of a number of hard and soft coral species.
A healthy coral reef in the Tumon Bay Marine Preserve off Tumon, Guam, showing a number of different species of fish swimming over a high coral cover reef composed of a number of hard and soft coral species.
Red Mangrove trees
The seedlings of Red Mangrove trees germinate from fruits while still attached to the trees. Here many are growing within the roots of adult trees.
The seedlings of Red Mangrove trees germinate from fruits while still attached to the trees. Here many are growing within the roots of adult trees.
Red Mangrove Trees
A view of red mangrove trees and their prop roots above and below the water surface.
A view of red mangrove trees and their prop roots above and below the water surface.
Kelp Forest
Kelp forests are often called the rainforest of the sea. They support wide varieties of marine life. Sea otters are both a sentinal and a keystone species for the health of kelp forests. Without sea otters, there is a shift in the ecosystem that can severly damage the kelp forests.
Kelp forests are often called the rainforest of the sea. They support wide varieties of marine life. Sea otters are both a sentinal and a keystone species for the health of kelp forests. Without sea otters, there is a shift in the ecosystem that can severly damage the kelp forests.
An Adult Polar Bear and Her Two Cubs
An adult female polar bear and her two cubs travel across the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean north of the Alaska coast.
An adult female polar bear and her two cubs travel across the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean north of the Alaska coast.
Sea Otter Ready for a Nap
This southern sea otter is settling down to rest in a small patch of Egregia (feather boa kelp). Find more sea otter photos at the USFWS Ventura sea otter Flickr gallery.
This southern sea otter is settling down to rest in a small patch of Egregia (feather boa kelp). Find more sea otter photos at the USFWS Ventura sea otter Flickr gallery.