Marine and Coastal Systems

This research area focuses on the sustainable use and vulnerability of the North Carolina coastal system. To ensure that humans can adapt to changes and take advantage of opportunities in marine and coastal ecosystems, this cluster will work toward developing a comprehensive understanding of the processes, cycles and interactions across this vitally important land-ocean interface.


Research Needs

39%

PERCENTAGE OF U.S. POPULATION LIVING IN COASTAL COUNTIES, INCLUDING NEARLY 1 MILLION PEOPLE IN NORTH CAROLINA

25%

PERCENTAGE OF NORTH CAROLINA’S TAX RECEIPTS THAT COME FROM COASTAL COMMUNITIES, MEANING GREATER ECONOMIC GROWTH AND VALUE

RESEARCH IN COASTAL AND MARINE FOCAL AREAS WILL HELP ADVISE COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES DEPENDENT ON THE LAND-SEA INTERFACE


Short Term Goals

  • Recruit active faculty with a focus on cluster research needs and determine where gaps exist within ECU faculty expertise
  • Develop a database focused on coastal statistics as a faculty resource for proposal development and public engagement
  • Work with faculty and staff to plan and host a cluster-focused seminar series and coastal-oriented conference

Long Term Goals

  • Expand interdisciplinary research in areas across the land-ocean interface
  • Build new collaborations across campus, our coastal community and broader region and locate new public and private funding sources
  • Train tomorrow’s interdisciplinary leaders to integrate science and social needs leading to a more sustainable coastal ecosystems

Research Approaches

  • Have engaged faculty working within the framework of the cluster, integrating socioeconomic, geophysical and biological processes influencing coastal ecosystems and communities
  • Build engagement opportunities with community members interested in marine and coastal research outcomes Monitor developments — including climate change, storm frequency and sea level rise — to grow cluster’s research enterprise

News


 

Picture of David Griffith
David Griffith
Co-Director - Marine & Coastal