Research Programs

Research Programs | Monitoring Programs

The Great Bay NERR coordinates and collaborates on research initiatives related to its four focus themes: (1) water quality, (2) land use change, (3) biological communities, and (4) climate change. Major current projects include:

• Assessing the risk of 100-year freshwater floods in the Lamprey River watershed of New Hampshire resulting from changes in climate and land use
• Regional assessment of climate change in the Great Bay region (to be completed in 2011)
• Developing and implementing a conservation program for rainbow smelt

Adams Point and the Jackson Estuarine Lab.
Courtesy of Fred Short

The research program's direction is guided by a compilation of research needs for the Great Bay Estuary (to be updated in 2011) and by input from the Great Bay NERR's Research Advisory Board. We often work with graduate students and scientists from universities and state agencies as we develop projects to advance our research program. If you are interested in working with us or finding out more about our research priorities, please contact the Research Coordinator.

The Research Coordinator also provides information about past and on-going studies in Great Bay. A searchable bibliography containing over 1,000 references of projects conducted in and around Great Bay was designed to help students, research scientists, and coastal decision makers locate scientific information about the estuary. In addition, the Research Coordinator maintains a database of recent and current projects being carried out by local scientists and can help orient new investigators to studies that are already being conducted in the estuary.

Many research projects in Great Bay are supported by funding opportunities that exist within several programs:

NERRS Science Collaborative

The NERRS Science Collaborative supports Reserve-led research projects that bring scientists, intended users of the science, stakeholders, educators, and trainers together to address problems related to coastal pollution and habitat degradation in the context of a changing climate. It also works with outreach specialists, trainers, and communicators to share information about the science that it funds-not only research results, but also methods, collaborative practices, and evaluation tools-with other reserves and the broader coastal management community.

Graduate Research Fellowship Program

The NERRS provides funds and logistical support for Master's and Ph.D. level graduate research occurring within the Great Bay NERR and addressing issues of importance to local managers. These fellowships prove a stipend of $20,000 per year and are renewable for up to three years. The Great Bay NERR typically supports two graduate fellows each year; current and past fellows and their projects can be viewed here. The fellowship encourages strong collaboration between the graduate students and the NERR program. Please visit the National Estuarine Research Reserve System's Graduate Research Fellowship site for more information.

Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technologies (CICEET)

Many research initiatives in Great Bay have been funded by the Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Environmental Technologies (CICEET). Information about these projects can be found through the CICEET Project Explorer interface.

Great Bay Stewards Graduate Research Grants