To inform National Ocean Policy implementation with the latest science of ecosystem services, in March of 2011, COMPASS faciliatated submission of synthetic public comments from 16 scientists from diverse backgrounds and academic institutions. This is part of a broader COMPASS effort to connect science and scientists to the National Ocean Council's (NOC) developing plans and priorites.
The NOC is currently developing strategic action plans within 9 priority areas, including 3 with particular relevance to ecosystem services -- ecosystem-based management (EBM), coastal and marine spatial planning (CMSP), and "coordinate and support." In short, ecosystem services will enable those implementing the NOP to find common ground across agencies and sectors, reveal hidden costs, assess tradeoffs, reduce conflict and improve the outcomes of EBM and CMSP.
COMPASS held a related workshop entitled, Communicating Ecosystem Service Science to Decision-Makers, in December 2010. To learn more, click here.
