National Estuarine Research Reserves Issues of National Priority for the Reserve System Estuaries are critical living resources that provide Americans with vast aesthetic, recreational and economic opportunities.
Estuaries also reduce polluted runoff, control flooding, and support birds, fish and other wildlife.
Through integrated scientific and educational programs, the National Estuarine Research Reserve System addresses a number of important topics to improve the management of these coastal areas. Polluted runoff from urban areas, farms and timber harvest operations is a major source of water contamination, causing beach closings and shellfish advisories and the loss of critical habitat. Habitat restoration is the process of rehabilitating damaged or injured estuaries. Maintaining biodiversity and controlling invasive species are essential to maintaining healthy and productive estuaries. Sustaining estuarine ecosystems is critical to human health as well as the health of the economy.