Abstract

In preparing for the new EESLR program in Florida and Alabama, CSCOR convened a Steering Committee of experts and hosted a workshop to ascertain relevant scientific data and knowledge and to develop an understanding of the environmental management needs in response to long term sea level rise and associated erosion of the Florida Panhandle and Coastal Alabama. The workshop was held on January 23-24, 2008 at the Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf Ecology Division in Gulf Breeze Florida. Attendees included local and national scientists and managers who identified relevant research questions and information needed to advance knowledge and predictions of interactions among sea level, shoreline change, bathymetry, coastal habitats, and ecosystem effects, and their application to coastal management. From the information compiled at this workshop, the Steering Committee developed this White Paper outlining the consensus of the workshop attendees regarding the requirements for scientific information and predictions and a research strategy for addressing these requirements. The Steering Committee will remain accessible and may be called upon periodically to review the program progress and suggest mid-course corrections.