Sustaining Coastal Experimentation and Observing Systems in Support of Marine Ecosystem and Climate Science

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。该切萨皮克生物实验室研究（CBLR）码头是一个重要的研究设施，作为仪器，设备和实验性围隔生态系统的平台，测试假设和收集模型所需的数据，以告知基于生态系统的管理决策，在大量使用和目前受到损害的切萨皮克湾。 近年来，码头遭受了严重的结构性破坏，导致研究和教育活动关闭。 该项目修复风暴对码头及其海水供应系统的破坏。 维修工作包括广泛更换支撑结构和甲板，更换泵站，并将海水进水管固定到码头，以保护它们免受未来风暴的威胁。 这些翻新工程使目前关闭的研究和教育活动码头重新开放。 翻新后的平台将能够再次容纳微观世界和中观世界，用于现场过程研究，范围从捕食者-猎物动态研究到渔业招募;气候变化;海洋酸化;鱼类，螃蟹和海草的生态生理学;以及水生食物网中的富营养化和汞形态研究。 CBLR码头的修复和重新开放的更广泛的影响包括传感器测试和开发的使用增加以及科学基础设施的建设。翻修将在切萨皮克湾地区提供就业机会，并改善安全区域，教师，大学生，K-12教师和学生以及公众可以通过提供广泛的实践项目体验研究和教育的整合有关切萨皮克湾保护和气候变化的公共宣传。 这是一个公众与科学家互动并参与科学数据收集的地方。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). The Chesapeake Biological Laboratory Research (CBLR) Pier is an essential research facility that serves as a platform for instrumentation, equipment, and experimental mesocosms that test hypotheses and gather data required for models to inform ecosystem-based management decisions in the heavily used and presently compromised Chesapeake Bay. In recent years, the pier sustained significant structural damage that has resulted in closing it to research and educational activities. This project repairs storm damage to the pier and its seawater supply system. Repairs involve extensive replacement of the support structure and decking, replacing the pumping station, and securing seawater intake lines to the pier to protect them from future storm threats. These renovations allow the pier, which is presently closed to research and education activities, to be re-opened. The renovated platform will then be able to once again house microcosms and mesocosms for in-situ process studies that range from studies of predator-prey dynamics to fishery recruitment; to climate change; to ocean acidification; to the ecophysiology of fish, crabs, and sea grass; and to studies of eutrophication and mercury speciation in aquatic food webs. Broader impacts of the repair and reopening of the CBLR Pier include increased use for sensor testing and development as well as building infrastructure for science. The renovations will provide jobs in the Chesapeake Bay area and improved, safe areas where faculty, university students, K-12 teachers and students, and the general public can experience the integration of research and education through programs that provide extensive hands-on public outreach pertaining to Chesapeake Bay conservation and climate change. It is a place where the public gets to interact with scientists and participate in the collection of scientific data.