Coastal Resources - The coastal region of the United States is home to diverse ecological communities and an increasing human population. Coastal habitats and the plants and animals that live in them provide many ecosystem services. Coastal habitats provide wildlife habitat, clean water, food, recreational opportunities, and aesthetic benefits. Coastal habitats also mitigate the effects of natural hazards such as floods and hurricanes. Balancing ecosystem health with human uses of coastal resources is a challenging task. HARC is committed to working with coastal stakeholders to conduct research and develop management strategies to ensure the long-term viability of our coastal resources.