The coastal ocean represents the major interface between humans and the marine environment, making coastal ecosystems those most heavily impacted by human activity. Coastal ecosystems are also some of the most biologically diverse and include habitats such as kelp forests, seagrass beds, marshes and estuaries, mangrove forests and coral reefs. These coastal habitats provide many important services such as sheltering diverse marine organisms, buffering terrestrial habitats from wave action and flooding, and supporting recreation and tourism. Human impacts on the coastal environment include fishing pressure, industrial pollution, habitat modification and agricultural runoff. The Center for Ocean Solutions is taking an interdisciplinary approach to identifying and resolving these challenges.
