Did you know that vast meadows of grass live underwater, or that microscopic plants can cause “dead zones” in coastal waters? Our coastal systems are dynamic and full of life.  Coastal ecosystems support an abundance of living resources which are often valuable, both ecologically and economically.  However, because of their proximity to land, coastal systems are particularly vulnerable to changes caused by human activity and other physical factors.  It is important to understand the science behind the causes and consequences of these coastal trends so that we can act as responsible stewards of such important ecosystems.

Scientists around the world are constantly learning more about the trends our coastal ecosystems are experiencing.  In an effort to expand this information beyond the scientific community, COSEE-Coastal Trends has paired teachers and undergrads with scientists and graduate students to conduct research and create “education modules” based on the research.  Click on a tab to the left or mouse over the image above to access information on each topic.  The “Learn,” “Explore the Trends,” and “Investigate Current Research” sections provide general information on each topic.  The “Access Classroom Resources” page is designed for teachers and educators and contains a lesson plan developed by a teacher with the help of his/her scientist-educator team.