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Priority Themes
NOAA’s National Ocean Service
coordinates activities across six thematic areas—observations,
modeling, coastal communities, technology, partnerships, and
expert workforce—to address ocean resource management
questions and bring added insight and information to decision
making. With this approach, NOS strives to set an example
that will help NOAA serve the nation as a global leader in
integrated management of the ocean.
To implement the U.S. Ocean Action Plan and U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy recommendations and to help NOAA to be a global leader in integrated management of the ocean, NOS will coordinate activities around…
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Observations...
to collect ocean and coastal data and information
such as water levels, surface current patterns,
and sea surface temperature to monitor coastal
and ocean ecosystems. NOS activities that fall
under the observations theme merge information
collected using observational tools such as in
situ measurements or aerial imaging to create
a more comprehensive picture of environmental
change. Integrating these activities across the
other priority themes, as well as coordinating
information collection with other resource management
agencies and organizations, will contribute to
the development and implementation of an Integrated
Ocean Observing System (IOOS).
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Modeling...
to create digital or statistical representations
that allow researchers to study natural systems
which are too broad or complex on which to conduct
experiments. By using models to manipulate factors
such as changes in sea surface temperature or
wind speed, scientists can learn how ocean and
coastal systems as a whole respond to these changes.
Integrated models will also allow prediction of
the consequences of management actions and predict
the behavior of natural events such as hurricanes.
Integration within the modeling theme at NOS involves
merging models, data, and information to improve
and apply existing models and to develop new models
to forecast ocean and coastal conditions.
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Coastal Communities...
because, while coastal economic and ecological health affect all people, their impact on coastal communities is more immediate. To support the development of NOAA as an integrated ocean management leader, NOS provides technical and financial assistance, products, services, and expertise to coastal communities to help these communities make balanced ocean and coastal management decisions.
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Technology...
such as satellites, high-speed computers, and
monitoring devices to collect and apply ocean
and coastal data, build models, and distribute
information and tools to research partners, coastal
resource managers, and the public. By identifying,
tracking, applying, integrating and encouraging
the use of existing, new, and emerging technologies,
NOS strives to enhance understanding of ocean
and coastal ecosystems and more effectively manage
these resources.
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Partnerships...
across the ocean community—including government,
academia, private sector and nongovernmental organizations,
international partners, and private citizens —to
integrate data, information, and expertise to
find effective ways to manage coastal and ocean
issues. Through collaboration with partners, NOS
aims to better coordinate NOS and partner activities,
increase the impact of individual NOS efforts,
and support decision making that balances the
health of coastal ecosystems with a robust economy.
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Expert Workforce...
to put integrated ocean management into action. People are the foundation of NOAA’s success. Therefore, NOS will continue to invest in training and career enhancement, offering opportunities for NOS staff to contribute and lead at all levels in the ocean community.
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NOS activities central to meeting the NOAA leadership
challenge integrate six priority themes-- Observations, Modeling, Coastal
Communities, Technology, Partnerships, and an Expert Workforce.
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