Collaborative Research: Strengthening the scientific basis for decision-making: Advancing sustainability science and knowledge-action capacities in coupled coastal systems

IIA-1330691，缅因州大学，迈克尔埃卡特链接到：IIA-1330641，新罕布什尔州大学，简A。Nisbet提案标题：合作研究：加强决策的科学基础：在耦合的沿海系统中推进可持续性科学和知识行动能力缅因州（ME）和新罕布什尔州（NH）提议成立新英格兰可持续性联盟（NEST），以利用其研究和开发能力之间的协同作用，推动可持续性科学的理论和实践，加强科学与决策之间的联系。可持续发展科学的重点是开发解决方案，以紧迫的社会问题，涉及改善人类福祉和保护地球的双重挑战？生命支持系统。巢穴？该项目最初的重点是与沿海系统可持续管理有关的科学挑战。具体而言，ME和NH联合收割机互补的研究优势，研究流域过程和人类活动，有助于高人口的病原菌在沿海沃茨，这反过来又触发决定关闭经济上重要的海滩和贝类渔业之间的系统相互作用。关闭的决定，目前作出的科学知识不足，长期的趋势表明，不断恶化的沿海污染，这将需要更频繁的决定，这种nature.Intellectual MeritThe沿海关闭问题提供了一个有前途的模式系统，为不断增长的NEST？加强科学与决策之间的联系。NEST通过几种创新机制联合多种能力来推进可持续发展科学：1）结合代表自然科学，社会科学和工程的十多个STEM学科的专业知识; 2）整合从不同研究方法中获得的见解（例如细菌元转录组学、行为经济学、流域传感器网络、制度分析、水文建模、环境通信）; 3）开展从微生物到流域的空间尺度和从短期细菌生长到土地利用和气候的数十年变化的时间尺度的研究。NEST将使用创新的系统思维和最先进的研究工具，同时强调研究中的流域-人类耦合系统如何影响和响应个人和机构的决策。此外，研究将包括一个考试的NEST？更广泛的影响NEST追求的目标是通过一个广泛包容社会许多阶层的过程来推进决策的科学基础。大学的学生和教师研究人员与不同的利益相关者（如政府，贝类收获者，公民科学家）合作。该项目支持建立一个扩大的环境传感器网络，以加强非正式和正式的科学教育。拟议的工作创建了创新的、解决方案驱动的网络，将不同的大学和学院、各级政府、部落社区、非政府组织、公民和私营部门联系起来。

IIA-1330691, University of Maine, Michael Eckardt Linked to: IIA-1330641, University of New Hampshire, Jane A. Nisbet Proposal Title: Collaborative Research: Strengthening the Scientific Basis for Decision-making: Advancing sustainability science and knowledge-action capacities in coupled coastal systemsThe states of Maine (ME) and New Hampshire (NH) propose the New England SusTainability Consortium (NEST) to capitalize on synergies between their research and development capacities that can advance the theory and practice of sustainability science to strengthen connections between science and decision making. Sustainability Science focuses on developing solutions to pressing societal problems involving the dual challenge of improving human well-being and protecting the planet?s life support systems. NEST?s initial focus is on scientific challenges related to the sustainable management of coastal systems. Specifically, ME and NH combine complementary research strengths to examine systems interactions between watershed processes and human activities that contribute to high populations of pathogenic bacteria in coastal waters, which in turn trigger decisions to close economically important beaches and shellfisheries. Closure decisions are currently made with inadequate scientific knowledge, and long-term trends suggest worsening coastal pollution that will require more frequent decisions of this nature.Intellectual MeritThe coastal closure problem provides a promising model system for growing NEST?s ability to investigate and strengthen the connection between science and decision-making. NEST unites diverse capabilities to advance sustainability science via several innovative mechanisms: 1) combining expertise drawn from over ten STEM disciplines representing natural science, social science, and engineering; 2) integrating insights gained from different research approaches (e.g. bacterial metatranscriptomics, behavioral economics, watershed sensor networks, institutional analysis, hydrologic modeling, environmental communication); 3) conducting research on spatial scales ranging from microbes to watersheds, and temporal scales spanning short-term bacterial growth to multi-decadal changes in land use and climate. NEST will use innovative systems thinking and state-of-the-art research tools while emphasizing how the coupled watershed-human systems under study influences, and responds to, decision-making by individuals and institutions. In addition, the research will include an examination of NEST?s organizational processes (e.g. collaboration, communication, integrative cross-jurisdictional education and research) to inform the global science and practice of interdisciplinary team science.Broader Impacts NEST pursues the goal of advancing the scientific basis of decision-making through a process that is broadly inclusive of many segments of society. University students and faculty researchers collaborate with diverse stakeholders (e.g. government, shellfish harvesters, citizen scientists). The project supports the construction of an expanded network of environmental sensors that will strengthen informal and formal science education. The proposed work creates innovative, solutions-driven networks that connect diverse universities and colleges, all levels of government, tribal communities, Non-Governmental Organizations, citizens, and the private sector.