Coastal Services Center

The nation's coastal areas generate a vast array of environmental and economic goods and services. For this reason, the effective management of coastal resources requires the consideration of both ecological and socioeconomic factors. Management tools developed by the NOAA Coastal Services Center incorporate information and approaches from the social sciences into applications developed for the management of coastal watersheds, hazards, and recreation-management.

Coastal Watersheds

One focus area for the Center is promoting management practices that effectively integrate social, economic, and environmental considerations into the use, development, and conservation of coastal resources. more...

Hazards

Another area of emphasis at the Center is to lessen the impacts of coastal hazards by providing coastal communities with easily accessible hazards-related spatial data, tools, and services. These products are designed to address the risk and vulnerability of all aspects of a community: human, built, environment, and economy. more...

Recreation

The Center has developed specialized social science information, approaches, and training to support coastal recreation management. more...