Human Dimensions of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
In the 2012-2014 Omnibus funding cycle, Northeast Sea Grant Programs issued a request for proposals with the theme, “Human Dimensions of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems.”
Recognizing that some issues are best addressed at the regional scale, the Sea Grant Programs in the Northeast (New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, MIT, Woods Hole, New Hampshire, and Maine), through the Northeast Sea Grant Consortium, set aside funds for social science research proposals relevant to the Gulf of Maine and Greater New York Bight regions (from the Canadian Border to Cape May, NJ).
Priorities
Through this competition, the Northeast Sea Grant Consortium aimed to support social science research relevant to regional coastal and ocean management. Priority was given to social science research that:
Linked social sciences to natural science research or data
Addressed the interface between natural and human systems
Related to ecosystem-based management approaches, marine spatial planning, or the understanding or valuation of policy relevant ecosystem services
Engaged with research end-users (e.g., policymakers, stakeholders) to enhance the relevance, utilization and societal impacts of the research results
Topic Areas
The RFP solicited proposals that addressed topics including, but not limited
Development of decision-support tools that help stakeholders conceptualize or evaluate the trade-offs of future scenarios in coastal
Evaluation of the effectiveness of current governance institutions and regulatory frameworks and their associated implications for compliance and enforcement in coastal and marine
Socioeconomic research in support of management decisions which address the balance among economic development, ecosystem protection and sustainability.
Socioeconomic paradigms in management and governance to improve coastal management.
Contribution to better understandings of ecosystem services through the development of data collection tools, models, and valuation indices.
Advancement of our understanding of the vulnerabilities and resiliencies of coastal communities to a changing environment and economy.