The Gulf of Mexico is America's Sea: The Need for Improved Monitoring of Our Coastline for Public Health, Safety and Well Being
Abstract
The Northern Gulf of Mexico spans five US coastal states - Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Totaling 2700 km of shoreline across the five states, there is a broad and diverse amount on information people need to interact safely and enjoyably with these waters. Issues such as rip currents, thunderstorms and severe weather, and harmful algal blooms can have substantial impacts on a day at the beach or on the water. The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System Regional Association (GCOOS-RA) envisions a robust and beneficial observational network. However, obtaining an adequate number of observations, both spatially and temporally, to meet these needs is challenging. Citizen science is one strategy to address this need. Several citizen science programs have been operating in the Gulf of Mexico- one since 2006 - long before the word 'app' was in everyday use. The data has not only been proven to be popular and appreciated by the users, but also adds important observation data that is used in modeling and forecasting. The GCOOS-RA is currently engaged in multiple citizen science efforts and anticipates more programs in the future. As smart phone technology continues to improve, there is only the limitation of imagination on citizen scientists' contribution to the health and safety in our coastal environment.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018AGUFMGH24A..05K
- Keywords:
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- 0230 Impacts of climate change: human health;
- GEOHEALTHDE: 0232 Impacts of climate change: ecosystem health;
- GEOHEALTHDE: 0240 Public health;
- GEOHEALTHDE: 0245 Vector born diseases;
- GEOHEALTH