Ecological characterization : recommendations of a science review panel : workshop held March 9-10, 1995, at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado

"A NOAA Science Review Panel of seventeen scientists and coastal experts was convened during a one and one-halfday workshop in Boulder, Colorado to examine the status and future of ecological characterization and its potential application to the mission of a recently formed NOAA “Center for Coastal Ecosystems Health” (subsequently renamed as the “Coastal Services Center”). The workshop proceeded from background presentations to open panel discussion and a synthesis of recommendations. Initial discussion was framed by questions about the current and future value of ecological characterizations, and how they may be improved, in particular through digital publication. It was generally agreed that ecological characterizations are useful but not widely used, due in part to limitations of their form; whereas digital publication may offer solutions to some of these problems. The panel endorsed the idea of modernizing ecological characterizations by employing digital publication means along the lines proposed. The pane also recognized the need to improve the process of conducting ecological characterizations as well as their content Discussion focused on defining ecological characterization as a process with greater emphasis on human dimensions, resource valuation, and “what-if’ scenarios. The proposed prototype effort was cautiously supported, given the recommendations on improving form, content, and process." 1996 NESDIS (National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service) NCEI (National Centers for Environmental Information) Library Public Domain 2286