A case history of the science and management collaboration in understanding hypoxia events in Long Bay, South Carolina, USA

Environ Manage. 2010 Sep;46(3):340-50. doi: 10.1007/s00267-010-9529-8. Epub 2010 Jul 31.

Abstract

Communication of knowledge between the scientific and management communities is a difficult process complicated by the distinctive nature of professional career goals of scientists and decision-makers. This article provides a case history highlighting a collaboration between the science and management communities that resulted from a response to a 2004 hypoxia, or low dissolved oxygen, event in Long Bay, off Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A working group of scientists and decision-makers was established at the time of the event and has continued to interact to develop a firm understanding of the drivers responsible for hypoxia formation in Long Bay. Several factors were found to be important to ensure that these collaborative efforts were productive: (1) genuine interest in collaboratively working across disciplines to examine a problem; (2) commitment by agency leadership, decision-makers, and researchers to create successful communication mechanisms; (3) respect for each others' perspectives and an understanding how science and management are performed and that they are not mutually exclusive; (4) networking among researchers and decision-makers to ensure appropriate team members are involved in the process; (5) use of decision-maker input in the formulation of research and monitoring projects; and (6) commitment of resources for facilitation to ensure that researchers and decision-makers are communicating effectively.

MeSH terms

  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Ecosystem*
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Interdisciplinary Communication
  • Oxygen / chemistry*
  • Research
  • Seawater / chemistry*
  • South Carolina
  • Temperature
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Oxygen