CCFHR: Stressors

Climate Change

Long term climate change can lead to: altered temperatures in coastal environments, increased incidence of droughts, floods, storms, and rising sea levels. Ocean current paths can be altered and marine habitats can experience different environmental conditions.
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Extreme Events

Extreme natural events such as hurricanes, floods, and harmful algal blooms stress coastal ecosystems, often for long periods after their passing. Predicting the extent and duration of these effects is one of the research objectives of CCFHR. Learn more.

Invasive Species

Plants and animals introduced into coastal habitats from other areas can have detrimental effects on the pre-existing ecosystem. Such invasive species can, if they can establish themselves, prey upon or displace resident organisms, alter the function of the ecosystem, and reduce its stability, sustainability, and economic utility. Learn more.

Pollution

Pollution research at CCFHR seeks to understand the conditions in coastal habitats where pollution effects are likely to occur. Learn more.

Resource and Land Use

Land use and resource use in the ocean can impose stress on valued components of the coastal environment. Among these stresses are changes in freshwater flow, introduction of nutrients, destruction of habitat, and overharvesting of fisheries organisms. Learn more.