NOAA
Client Need:
NOAA's Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA) reviews coastal and marine ecosystem conditions and requires scientific services to support their efforts. Specifically, CCMA’s Biogeography Program (BIOGEO) needed support in developing knowledge about living marine resource distributions and ecology in estuarine, coastal and marine environments and an improved ecosystem-based decision-making approach.
CSS’ Response: CSS deployed, at BIOGEO, a team of skilled professionals—most with doctorates or masters' degrees and all with extensive research experience. The CSS team includes marine ecologists, aquatic biologists, environmental scientists, spatial information engineers, and GIS technicians. Most of the CSS on-site personnel are certified PADI Open Water divers with experience in marine field research. Team members understand industry-standard GIS tools, statistical software, bathymetry and sonar equipment, and NOAA databases.
Over time, the relationship has blossomed into a full-fledged partnership. CSS personnel regularly represent NOAA at national and international scientific conferences, contribute to peer-reviewed scientific articles, and draft policies and state-of-the-science reports.
Services Provided:
- Design of field data collection methods via research vessels and SCUBA expeditions
- Database design and management
- Data entry, verification and analysis
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Scientific and technical writing and editing
- Website design and content development