The National Association of Marine Laboratories: a connected web for studying long-term changes in U.S. coastal and...

Long-term time-series measurements provide data that test specific hypotheses or suggest new avenues of study. Such studies are widely acknowledged as important for differentiating the influence of human activities from natural background variability. Several long-term research or monitoring programs are active in coastal and marine environments around the world and serve as models for development of new studies. The spatial array of U.S. coastal laboratories is suitable for resolving latitudinal trends and for many types of comparative studies. However, establishing a network of coastal laboratories focused on long-term monitoring and research problems presents special challenges in setting research priorities at appropriate scales, in data management, and in coordination of the scientific effort. The National Association of Marine Laboratories (NAML) is uniquely positioned to promote long-term studies among networks of its member institutions. The NAML can play an effective role in publicizing the importance of long-term studies, in providing access to expertise in this type of research, and in promoting its continuance for periods longer than the length of individual scientific careers.