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3. 2020 NOS Science Report

2020 National Ocean Service Science Report
          Selected scientific projects undertaken by NOS program offices during Fiscal Year 2020.


This report includes summaries of select scientific projects undertaken by program offices of
          the National Ocean Service during Fiscal Year 2020. All of the projects in this report were
          submitted by each program office for consideration in the annual NOAA Science Report (2020), within
          which many are also featured. Each project summary includes a short description of the research conducted by
          NOS staff, major accomplishment(s), links to published materials, and online project
          information. This product was assembled by the National Ocean Service Coastal Science Board, which serves as the forward-thinking
          science advisory group to NOS. The board provides a forum to strengthen internal
          connections between program offices, resulting in better service to NOS constituents and greater support of
          NOAA’s mission. Additionally, the board provides assistance to all NOS Program Offices in establishing and
          addressing priorities for coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes science, as well as in identifying current and future
          science and research requirements in support of NOS program offices, associated stakeholders, and statutory
          mandates. The board reports to the director of the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, who
          serves as the NOS representative to the NOAA Science Council. The Board also provides annual updates of its
          progress to NOS program office leadership. The National Ocean Service is the nation’s premier science agency for oceans and
            coasts. NOS delivers the applied science, modeling, tools, and services needed to understand, predict, and
            respond to the challenges we face along America’s 95,000 miles of shoreline and 3.5 million square nautical
            miles of coastal, Great Lakes, and deep-ocean waters. Additionally, NOS oversees the definition, maintenance,
            and access to the National Spatial Reference System for all federal geospatial activities. This enables NOS to
            better manage the sea/shore boundary for coastal resilience and planning.
 2020 NOS Science Report The NOS Science Report for 2020 is a subset of the larger NOAA Science Report. The document is available to download in whole or in parts below.
 NOS Science Report 2020: Full Report
 This report includes summaries of select scientific projects undertaken by program offices of
                          NOAA’s National Ocean Service during Fiscal Year 2020. Each project summary includes a short description of the research conducted by
                          NOS staff, major accomplishment(s), links to published materials, and online project
                          information.
 Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS)
 NOAA’s Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) is the authoritative source for
                        accurate, reliable, and timely tides, water levels, currents and other oceanographic information. CO-OPS data,
                        products and services support safe and efficient navigation, sound ecosystem stewardship, coastal hazards
                        preparedness and response, and the understanding of climate change. Included are two highlighted
                        scientific projects by CO-OPS researchers and their partners.
 National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
 The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
                        (NCCOS) is the focal point for NOAA’s coastal
                        ocean science efforts. NCCOS helps NOAA to meet
                        its coastal stewardship and management
                        responsibilities, and provides coastal managers with
                        the scientific information necessary to decide how
                        best to protect environmental resources and public
                        health, preserve valued habitats, and improve the
                        way that communities interact with coastal
                        ecosystems. NCCOS major focus areas include
                        coastal change: vulnerability, mitigation, and
                        restoration; marine spatial ecology; social science,
                        and stressor impacts and mitigation. NCCOS
                        additionally funds external research through its
                        Competitive Research Program. Included are
                        ten highlighted projects by NCCOS, NCCOSsupported
                        researchers, and their partners.
 National Geodetic Survey (NGS)
 NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS) provides
                        the framework for all positioning activities in the
                        Nation. The foundational elements of latitude,
                        longitude, elevation, and shoreline information
                        impact a wide range of important activities. NGS’
                        mission is to define, maintain and provide access to
                        the National Spatial Reference System to meet our
                        nation's economic, social, and environmental needs.
                        Included below are six highlighted scientific projects
                        by NGS researchers and their partners.
 Office of Coast Survey (OCS)
 NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey (OCS) maintains the
                          nation’s nautical charts and publications for U.S.
                          coasts and the Great Lakes. OCS creates and
                          maintains over a thousand charts covering 95,000
                          miles of shoreline and 3.4 million square nautical
                          miles of water. OCS supports the 1.3 billion metric
                          tons of cargo valued at $1.8 trillion that comes in
                          and out of U.S. ports every year. In addition, OCS
                          conducts hydrographic surveys to collect depth
                          measurements for nautical charts, and to aid in
                          navigation, provides regional navigation support,
                          develops models for storm surge and hurricane
                          prediction, and develops and tests new technologies
                          to improve mapping efficiencies. Included are five
                          highlighted scientific projects by OCS researchers
                          and their partners.
 Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
 NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries serves as the trustee for a network of underwater parks
                        encompassing more than 600,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters. The network includes a
                        system of 14 national marine sanctuaries and Papahānaumokuākea and Rose Atoll marine national monuments.
                        The system works with diverse partners and stakeholders to promote responsible, sustainable ocean uses that
                        ensure the health of our most valued ocean places. The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries also leads the
                        National Marine Protected Areas Center, the nation's hub for building innovative partnerships and tools to
                        protect our special ocean. In addition, ONMS staff conduct and support research and monitoring programs
                        tailored to the information needs of each sanctuary. Included are four highlighted scientific projects by ONMS
                        researchers and their partners.
 Office of Response and Restoration
 NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R)
                        is a center of expertise in preparing for, evaluating,
                        and responding to threats to coastal environments,
                        including oil and chemical spills, releases from
                        hazardous waste sites, and marine debris. OR&R’s
                        mission is to develop scientific solutions to keep the
                        coasts clean from threats of oil, chemicals, and
                        marine debris. To fulfill its mission of protecting and
                        restoring NOAA trust resources, OR&R provides
                        scientific and technical support to prepare for and
                        respond to oil and chemical releases; determines
                        damage to natural resources from these releases;
                        protects and restores marine and coastal ecosystems,
                        including coral reefs; and works with communities to
                        address critical local and regional coastal
                        challenges. OR&R comprises four divisions:
                        Emergency Response, Assessment and Restoration,
                        Marine Debris, and the Disaster Preparedness
                        Program. Collectively, OR&R provides
                        comprehensive solutions to marine pollution. Included
                        are eight highlighted scientific projects by OR&R
                        researchers and their partners.
 Office for Coastal Management
 NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management (OCM) is
                        the federal agency tasked with implementing the
                        Coastal Zone Management Act, which is the guiding
                        legislation for the decisions and actions taken to
                        keep the natural environment, quality of life, and
                        economic prosperity of coastal areas in balance. As
                        a scientific organization, NOAA provides access to
                        the science and environmental intelligence
                        communities need for these tasks. Four major
                        programs make up the Office for Coastal
                        Management, and each counts on active
                        partnerships with all sectors to be successful. They
                        include the National Coastal Zone Management
                        Program, the National Estuarine Research Reserves,
                        the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, and
                        NOAA’s Digital Coast web-based resources.
                        Included are two highlighted scientific
                        projects by OCM researchers and their partners.
 U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)
 The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System
                        (IOOS) is a national-regional partnership working to
                        provide new tools and forecasts to improve safety,
                        enhance the economy, and protect our environment.
                        Integrated ocean information is available in near
                        real time, as well as retrospectively. Easier and
                        better access to this information is improving our
                        ability to understand and predict coastal events -
                        such as storms, wave heights, and sea level change.
                        Such knowledge is needed for everything from retail
                        to development planning. IOOS’ mission is to
                        produce, integrate, and communicate high quality
                        ocean, coastal and Great Lakes information that
                        meets the safety, economic, and stewardship needs of
                        the Nation. IOOS’ Operations Division coordinates
                        the contributions of Federally-owned observing and
                        modeling systems and develops and integrates nonfederal
                        observing and modeling capacity into the
                        system in partnership with IOOS regions. Included
                         is a highlighted project by IOOS-supported
                        researchers and their partners.


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