Changing water levels can have both positive and negative impacts on
water-dependent industries such as shipping, fisheries, tourism, and coastal infrastructure. GLERL research analyzes components
of the Great Lakes water cycle to improve models, which are used by agencies and industry to plan for water management and operations.
GLERL vessels provide safe and capable multi-disciplinary platforms to study the Great Lakes by deploying instruments, collecting samples,
conducting surveys, and supporting autonomous/uncrewed systems and remote observation stations.
Research using satellite images, remote sensing, buoys, a comprehensive monitoring program in Lake Erie, Saginaw Bay, and Lake Huron, and advanced
genetic techniques helps to understand the long and short-term seasonal dynamics of HABs and hypoxia.
Research on invasive species focuses on understanding how these species impact the Great Lakes ecosystem and interact with other stressors, which
informs management decisions that support coastal infrastructure, water dependent industries, fisheries, and recreation.
GLERL and partners develop, test, evaluate and implement emerging technology advancements in data collection, striving to improve NOAA’s observational
capabilities to better understand ecosystem processes.
NOAA GLERL and its partners conduct innovative research on the dynamic environments and ecosystems of the Great Lakes and coastal regions to provide information
for resource use and management decisions that lead to safe and sustainable ecosystems, ecosystem services, and human communities.