Advancing Estuarine Science and Management Through Long-Term Research and Monitoring in the U.S. National Estuarine Research Reserve System

Abstract

Long-term research and monitoring programs are critical to our understanding of ecosystem processes. Although short-term studies are one effective method for scientific investigations, they cannot elucidate the role of medium to long-term cycles and lag effects in ecosystem processes, limiting our ability to interpret trends and interactions among processes. Because funding for environmental sciences is inherently limited, and work that addresses current societal needs is often prioritized over basic research and monitoring efforts, the design of long-term studies needs to be creative and intentional. This will allow it to address relevant and pressing issues to remain competitive for funding while also being useful for conducting basic and applied research across a broad range of topics. We use prior studies from the U.S. National Estuarine Research Reserve System's System-Wide Monitoring Program to illustrate the value of long-term studies and demonstrate how they can be designed to directly address management needs, advance our fundamental ecological understanding of aquatic ecosystems, and better serve our communities.