An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century - California Ocean ...

Box 25.1 Examples of Ocean and Coastal Science NeedsFundamental knowledge about oceans and coasts is essential for assessing and predictingthe status of marine resources, finding beneficial new uses of ocean resources, and implementingan ecosystem-based management approach. Greater understanding of these environmentswill enable policy makers and managers to make wise, science-based decisions atthe national, regional, state, tribal, and local levels. However, to achieve this level of understanding,significantly more research will be needed as indicated throughout this report. Thelist below gives some idea of the range of topics to be covered, although it is by no means acomprehensive list of all needed research.Aquaculture• determination of the environmentalimpacts of marine aquaculture andthe development of best managementpractices• knowledge about the impacts of aquaculturefeeds, species introductions, andthe use of chemicals and pharmaceuticalsin aquaculture practicesBiodiversity• baseline measurements of marine biodiversityon different scales (i.e., communities,populations, and individuals)• methods to mitigate human activitiesthat adversely affect biodiversity andmarine ecosystemsClimate Change• better understanding of the ocean’srole in global carbon and heat cycling• predictive models of the effects ofglobal warming, including sea-level riseand changes in global circulationCoastal Habitat• knowledge about the structure andfunctioning of coastal habitats and howhuman activities and natural eventsaffect them• effective habitat restoration techniquesCoral Reefs• measurements of ocean temperature,currents, and other variables that affectchanges in coral communities• prediction of the impacts of global climatechange and other natural and humaninducedevents on coral communities• comprehension about the distributionand ecology of cold water coralsFisheries• better understanding of the relationshipbetween fisheries and ecosystemdynamics, including the identificationof essential habitat• measures of the social science andeconomic aspects of fisheriesInternational Science• international scientific partnerships toenhance long-term ocean science andmanagement capacity in other nationsInvasive Species• comprehension of how or why certainspecies become invasive• understanding about why certain factorsmake an ecosystem more susceptible toinvasions• new techniques for invasive speciesidentification and eradication• new ballast water treatment andexchange techniquesMarine Debris• knowledge about debris behavior in themarine environment and its ecologicaleffects on organisms and ecosystems• effective debris control measures• identification of marine debris sourcesMarine Mammals and Protected Species• expanded understanding of basicbiology and population status• understanding of the effects of noise,coastal development, offshore oil andgas exploration, vessel traffic, militaryactivities, and marine debris on thesespecies• methods to mitigate harmful impactson these animals380 A N O CEAN B LUEPRINT FOR THE 21ST C ENTURY