ECOHAB
Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms
ISSUE
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are one of the most scientifically complex
and economically significant coastal issues facing the nation today.
In the past, only a few regions of the U.S. were affected by HABs, but
now virtually every coastal state has reported major blooms. Economic
losses associated with HABs are conservatively estimated to exceed $1
billion over the next several decades. HABs have direct and indirect
impacts on fisheries resources, local coastal economies, as well as
public health and perception. HAB toxins can cause human illness and
death, halt the harvesting and sale of fish and shellfish, alter marine
habitats, and adversely impact fish, endangered species, and other marine
organisms. High biomass blooms can also profoundly affect marine and
freshwater ecosystems. There are many gaps in current knowledge that
need to be addressed. Development of methods for rapid, cost effective
detection of HABs and their toxins is a critical first step. Predictive
models and forecasts depend on an understanding of the basic biology
HAB species, the environmental processes that control HABs, and knowledge
of how HAB toxins are transferred through the food web and impact the
health of a variety of organisms, including humans. The role of human
activities in stimulating HABs requires investigation. Finally, effective
methods for prevention, control, and mitigation need to be developed.
APPROACH
ECOHAB is a multi-agency partnership between NOAA' s Center for Sponsored
Coastal Ocean Research and the National Science Foundation, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and
the Office of Naval Research. Through a combination of long-term regional
studies and short-term targeted studies, ECOHAB seeks to produce new,
state-of-the-art detection methodologies for HABs and their toxins,
to understand the causes and dynamics of HABs, to develop forecasts
of HAB growth, transport, and toxicity, and to predict and ameliorate
impacts on higher trophic levels and humans. Research results will be
used to guide management of coastal resources to reduce HAB development,
impacts, and future threats. Projects selected for support must successfully
compete in a rigorous external, peer-review process that ensures a high-level
of scientific merit. Projects include a mix of investigators from academic,
state, federal (including NOS), and non-profit institutions.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
ECOHAB has funded regional projects in the Gulf of Maine (Alexandrium),
eastern Gulf of Mexico (Karenia brevis, known as the Florida Red Tide),
mid-Atlantic (Pfiesteria), Pacific Northwest (Pseudo-nitzschia), shallow
bays and lagoons of eastern Long Island (Aureococcus anophagefferens,
known as the Long Island Brown Tide), and Maui, Hawaii (macroalgae)
that have greatly increased our understanding of HAB dynamics and are
leading in some cases to the development of biophysical models that
show excellent promise for forecasting HAB impacts. Targeted projects
have developed new detection methodologies that are already being used
in state monitoring programs, increased our understanding of the role
of human activities in stimulating HABS, determined the trophic transfer
of toxins through the food web, found natural and developed new control
mechanisms that may be useful in mitigation and control, investigated
the causes, and impacts of newly emerging HAB problems, and summarized
the economic impacts of HABs. ECOHAB projects are often closely linked
to Monitoring and Event Response for Harmful Algal
Bloom (MERHAB) projects in order to facilitate transfer of new knowledge
and techniques to existing coastal monitoring programs while building
sustainable regional partnerships.
PLANS AND REPORTS
Anderson, D.M., Galloway, S.B. and Joseph, J.D. Marine Biotoxins and
Harmful Algae: A National Plan. Woods Hole Oceaogr. Inst. Tech. Rept.,
WHOI 93-02. (Currently being revised, see details at http://www.esa.org/HABPlan/index.php)
CENR. 2000. National Assessment of Harmful Algal Blooms in US Waters.
National Science and Technology Council Committee on Environment and
Natural Resources, Washington, DC
Related Websites
For more information, contact:
Quay Dortch, ECOHAB Program Coordinator
Susan Banahan, ECOHAB Program Manager
NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CSCOR/Coastal Ocean Program
phone: 301-713-3338
e-mail: coastalocean@noaa.gov
Last Updated:
June 3, 2004
