THE HABITAT RESEARCH PLAN OF THE NATIONAL-MARINE-FISHERIES-SERVICE

A responsibility of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is to develop the necessary understanding, using basic and applied research and literature syntheses, to help conserve, protect, and restore habi tats of living marine resources. The NMFS National Habitat Program has developed a Habitat Research Plan to direct and conduct research and transfer results to management components within the NMFS that are inv olved in permit reviews, development of habitat sections of Fishery Ma nagement Plans and protected species Recovery Plans, and development o f restoration options and plans as part of the Natural Resources Damag e Assessment claims. The plan aims to develop the necessary expertise to oversee restoration, creation, or acquisition of habitat to benefit living marine resources. This plan gives guidance in four areas: ecos ystem structure and function, effects of alterations, development of r estoration methods, and development of indicators of impact and recove ry. The plan also emphasizes a fifth area-the need for syntheses and t imely distribution of scientific information to managers. The plan is designed not only as an umbrella document under which to organize habi tat research within the NMFS but also as a guide that can and will be modified as habitat issues and responsibilities change.