Building a Research Vision
In 2014, leading researchers and practitioners from academia, industry, and government gathered at the 2014 Past and Future of Nearshore Processes Research: Reflections on the Sallenger Years and a New Vision for the Future workshop. Their goal was to define a path forward where societal needs and science challenges intersect.
The result was a community-driven vision organized around three key coastal challenges. The USCRP advances this vision by supporting research that advances coastal science, informs decision-making, and benefits coastal communities across the US.
Today's Coastal Challenges
Long-Term Coastal Evolution Due to Natural and Anthropogenic Processes
As unpredictable environmental conditions affect the rates of changing shorelines and storm intensity, and coastal urbanization continues to increase, an understanding of long-term coastal evolution is critical.
By advancing our knowledge of morphological, ecological, and societal processes and their interactions, we can simulate future conditions for coastal change. This knowledge empowers us to reduce risk and design coastal systems that are more resilient and adaptive.
Extreme Events
The devastation, lost lives, and billions of dollars in damages from major storms are stark reminders of the coastal hazards faced by U.S. communities, businesses, and resources.
USCRP-funded research will result in an improved understanding of the physical processes during extreme events, leading to improved models of flooding, erosion, and recovery. Forecasts of the impacts of these hazards are critical to protect the safety, security, and economic well-being of the nation.
The Physical, Biological, and Chemical Processes Impacting Human and Ecosystem Health
Increased pressures on coastal environments – including rising levels of microbial pathogens, fertilizers, pesticides, and heavy metal contamination - have led to decreases in coastal water quality, threatening ecosystem and human health.
USCRP works to strengthen predictive tools and real-time modeling that integrate the physical, chemical, and biological factors driving coastal change. With improved understanding and forecasting abilities, coastal scientists, stakeholders, and decision-makers can craft better strategies for managing water- and sediment-based pollution, improving beachgoers, enhancing ecosystem health, and refining coastal policy.