Hurricanes and the Coastal ZoneWith hurricane season arriving June 1 along with predictions of an above normal number of major storms in the Atlantic and Gulf States, understanding how the ocean and atmospheric interact and what role changing climate has on the formation of hurricanes is critical. The 2004 hurricane season resulted in many deaths and tremendous destruction in Florida and other coastal states along the Gulf of Mexico and East Coast but also to many states inland far from the coast, a reminder that few if any parts of the nation are spared the impact of hurricanes. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) scientists conduct research on a variety of topics related to hurricanes, from ocean circulation patterns and changing climate, the effects of hurricanes on coral reefs and environmental impacts in the coastal zone, to coastal erosion and storm surges as the storms hit, and often change, the beach. Historical records from hurricanes decades and centuries ago hidden deep below the surface in coastal areas are providing insight into what we might expect in the future. Further information about some of these projects is available from the Institution's Coastal Ocean Institute (http://www.whoi.edu/institutes/coi/index.htm) and Ocean and Climate Change Institute (http://www.whoi.edu/institutes/occi/index.htm
What is That in the Water? As summer vacations approach, beachgoers might want to bring along a guide to what they and their children will see on the beach and in the water. WHOI scientists and educators have created Beachcomber's Companion for adventures at the beach. It is an easy-to-use guide to common Atlantic coast marine invertebrates containing a set of 54 marine invertebrate identification cards, a meshcollecting bag, a species checklist with erasable marking pencil, and a clip for a beach bag. Beachcomber's Companion is one of many summer resources available from the WHOI Sea Grant Program at http://www.whoi.edu/seagrant/. Beachgoers may also run across gelatinous zooplankton, more commonly called jellyfish, washed ashore or in coastal waters where people swim and boat. Most are harmless but a few sting. WHOI scientists have studied jellyfish both in coastal waters and far offshore in the open ocean for decades and are conducting research on the creatures from the tropics to polar regions. They also study right whales, which many vacationers may see on whale watching trips or hear about when marine mammals strand on beaches. More information about current research projects on whales in the WHOI Ocean Life Institute is available at http://www.whoi.edu/institutes/oli/currenttopics/currenttopics.htm.Answers to commonly asked questions about the ocean and what lives in it can be found at http://www.whoi.edu/info/where-answers.html.
Managing an Evolving ShorelineAs more and more people build homes on the beach and utilize coastal resources, from fish and shellfish to wetlands and marshes, human activities present increasing challenges for shoreline management. A Massachusetts study (http://www.whoi.edu/home/research/seagrant_exped.html) is an example of what coastal states face in trying to balance many interests. Coastal erosion from storms, sea-level rise and other activities adds to the pressures on the coastal zone and a diminishing shoreline, where property values are often high and solutions require coordinated efforts from local, state and federal officials. WHOI's Coastal Ocean Institute has a variety of projects underway in the coastal zone; more information can be found at http://www.whoi.edu/institutes/coi/currenttopics/currenttopics.htm.
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