Coupled Human-Natural Systems
With more than half of the world’s population living on the coast, humans and the oceans are inextricably connected. Our commercial, residential and recreational use of coastal and ocean habitats has left a lasting mark, while the ecosystem services provided by these habitats fosters our increased reliance on them.
Presented with the challenge of sustaining a healthy relationship between humans and natural systems, we use a variety of experimental, observational, and socio-economic approaches to engineer solutions designed to mitigate the problems facing coupled human/natural systems. Specifically, we provide managers and policy makers with 1) relevant and accurate data on the current state of the oceans, and 2) expert recommendations for management and policy reform regarding resource use practices.
