Baseline monitoring high on Mid-Atlantic research priorities list

Ocean scientists in the Mid-Atlantic region say establishing and improving baseline monitoring data is a top research priority in preparation for rising seas and off shore energy development, according to a recent report from several state Sea Grant programs and the University of Delaware.

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Research Plan reports on a four-year effort to analyze the research needed for the region to promote environmental and economic sustainability.

An online survey of academic researchers and employees of government agencies and non-profit organizations. According to the results, the highest priority for offshore energy research should be establishing baseline environmental data. On climate change issues, researchers ranked baseline monitoring of sea elevation change second to understanding the effects of sea level rise on coastal ecosystems.

Image: SeaWiFS captured this image of the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States on October 3, 2000(Credit: SeaWiFS Project, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, and ORBIMAGE)