Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Science Needs

To effectively protect the resources within Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, managers require information on the sanctuary's biodiversity and the factors contributing to its fluctuations, including both natural events and human activities. (Updated October 2024)

The ecosystems of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary face significant threats from the effects of climate change, including rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and increasing storm intensity. Research on the impacts of climate change on sanctuary resources is needed to facilitate adaptive management. (Updated October 2024)

There is increasing concern among Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary managers regarding contaminants in sanctuary waters, habitats, and living resources, including ciguatoxin, mercury and other heavy metals, microplastics, and oil and gas–related toxins. (Updated October 2024)

There is a need to characterize diseases, monitor their prevalence and severity, and assess shifts in susceptibility and resilience within Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. (Updated October 2024)

There are key gaps in habitat characterization at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, primarily across mesophotic habitats (the most extensive habitat type in the sanctuary), as well as at banks newly added to the sanctuary during its 2021 expansion. Such characterization directly supports critical decisions related to species management, spatial planning, restoration, research, and incident response. (Updated October 2024)

Understanding the ecosystem services and pressures associated with human use is essential for informed decision-making, and for proactive and effective conservation efforts at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. (Updated October 2024)

Monitoring, preserving, and preparing for changes in water quality at all scales is essential for the overall sustainability of the habitats, fish, and other wildlife within Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. (Updated October 2024)