What is the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory?

NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) has the breadth of scientific expertise to address complex ecosystem issues in the Great Lakes and other coastal systems. GLERL is committed to understanding the present state of the Great Lakes ecosystem in order to predict impacts of stresses placed on the system. GLERL’s long-range research is targeted toward producing a suite of forecasts and forecasting capabilities of physical and ecological conditions that advance an ecosystem-based approach to management:

  • Physical – wave height, coastal erosion, rip currents, ice thickness & extent, storm surge, currents, water levels & temperature, tributary flows, turbidity, taste & odor;
  • Human health – bacteria concentration, beach closings, fish contamination, harmful algal blooms;
  • Fish recruitment & productivity – number of fish by species, fish size, fish condition, fish distribution; and,
  • Invasive species – new non-native species introductions, spread of introduced species, impact on ecosystem.

Visit the GLERL Website

GLERL Vision & Mission:

Vision: The wise use and management of Great Lakes and coastal marine environments is enabled by a solid scientific understanding and leadership.

Mission: To conduct high-quality research and provide scientific leadership on important issues in both Great Lakes and marine coastal environments leading to new knowledge, tools, approaches awareness and service.

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