National Academies Press: OpenBook
« Previous: 8 New Approaches to Protect Ecosystem Services and Human Health
Suggested Citation:"9 Closing Observations." Institute of Medicine. 2014. Understanding the Connections Between Coastal Waters and Ocean Ecosystem Services and Human Health: Workshop Summary. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18552.
×
Page 117
Suggested Citation:"9 Closing Observations." Institute of Medicine. 2014. Understanding the Connections Between Coastal Waters and Ocean Ecosystem Services and Human Health: Workshop Summary. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18552.
×
Page 118

Below is the uncorrected machine-read text of this chapter, intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text of each book. Because it is UNCORRECTED material, please consider the following text as a useful but insufficient proxy for the authoritative book pages.

9 Closing Observations Paul A. Sandifer, Ph.D. Chief Science Advisor, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration In closing, Paul Sandifer reminded the participants that this workshop began with an exploration of ocean ecosystem services, as well as how one begins to measure both ecosystem services and their connections to human health. He noted that the impacts of a variety of stressors were considered and there appears to be much more known about stressors’ impacts on the environment and much less understood about the resulting health outcomes for humans. Both direct and indirect connections to human health are evident but measuring health outcomes remains more difficult. Sandifer reminded the participants that during the workshop, great examples of site-specific issues were presented for Puget Sound, the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Aral Sea. The talks highlighted challenges like storm protection and ecosystem restoration, as well as the potential for aquaculture, sustainable fisheries, and advances in other areas to contribute to improved global food security. Presentations effectively made connections among oceans, coast, land, land use, populations, and in some cases health. But again, he said, the metrics for human health impacts from diminished coastal ecosystem services are largely lacking. This should be a prime area for further exploration. Sandifer noted that ecosystem services are the benefits to humans provided by ecosystems. He appreciated that this workshop looked at coastal ecosystem services in the specific context of how they support and affect human health and well-being, and considered how changes in ecosystems and related services can affect many benefits to humans that are taken for granted. Changes in ecosystems can have substantial effects on health and well-being, including mental health issues associated with job security or recreation or specific disease processes related to 117

118 ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND HUMAN HEALTH environmental exposures. Overall, this workshop made connections to a wide range of environmental health sciences topics and set the stage for further thinking about the nexus of ecosystem services and health, not only for this Roundtable but also with regard to the application of long- term research and investments in the environmental sciences.

Next: Appendix A: Workshop Agenda »
Understanding the Connections Between Coastal Waters and Ocean Ecosystem Services and Human Health: Workshop Summary Get This Book
×
Buy Paperback | $46.00 Buy Ebook | $36.99
MyNAP members save 10% online.
Login or Register to save!
Download Free PDF

Understanding the Connections Between Coastal Waters and Ocean Ecosystem Services and Human Health discusses the connection of ecosystem services and human health. This report looks at the state of the science of the role of oceans in ensuring human health and identifies gaps and opportunities for future research. The report summarizes a workshop convened by the Institute of Medicine's Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine. Participants discussed coastal waters and ocean ecosystem services in the United States in an effort to understand impacts on human health. Understanding the Connections Between Coastal Waters and Ocean Ecosystem Services and Human Health focuses on key linkages by discussing the ecosystem services provided by coastal waterways and oceans that are essential for human health and well-being; examining the major stressors that affect the ability of coastal waterways and ocean systems to provide essential services; and considering key factors that can enhance the resiliency of these systems.

  1. ×

    Welcome to OpenBook!

    You're looking at OpenBook, NAP.edu's online reading room since 1999. Based on feedback from you, our users, we've made some improvements that make it easier than ever to read thousands of publications on our website.

    Do you want to take a quick tour of the OpenBook's features?

    No Thanks Take a Tour »
  2. ×

    Show this book's table of contents, where you can jump to any chapter by name.

    « Back Next »
  3. ×

    ...or use these buttons to go back to the previous chapter or skip to the next one.

    « Back Next »
  4. ×

    Jump up to the previous page or down to the next one. Also, you can type in a page number and press Enter to go directly to that page in the book.

    « Back Next »
  5. ×

    To search the entire text of this book, type in your search term here and press Enter.

    « Back Next »
  6. ×

    Share a link to this book page on your preferred social network or via email.

    « Back Next »
  7. ×

    View our suggested citation for this chapter.

    « Back Next »
  8. ×

    Ready to take your reading offline? Click here to buy this book in print or download it as a free PDF, if available.

    « Back Next »
Stay Connected!