Observation & Modeling
Visualizing Global Connections
As leaders in environmental observation & forecasting, we transform decades of scientific data into practical, user-friendly tools with communities in mind. Our work reveals how living organisms, water, sediments and other environmental factors interact across local and global ecosystems. This integrated approach allows us to forecast tidal conditions, water quality and coastal hazards and advise leaders on shoreline erosion, coastal urbanization and environmental stressors. Our science ensures that resource managers and policymakers can respond to today's pressing issues and prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
A Preeminent Center in Environmental Forecasting
The Center of Excellence in Environmental Forecasting (CEEF) is a world-class environmental forecasting center that leverages our scientific expertise and data resources to deliver tools that support the safety, livelihoods, and recreation of communities in coastal Virginia and beyond. Forecasting tools like Tidewatch, CBEFS, Sea-Level Report Card and SCHISM help you see what’s coming — today and in the future.
Advising Virginia Through Water Intake Modeling
The Office of Research and Advisory Services (ORAS) translates scientific data into actionable guidance to help the commonwealth effectively manage water intake activities. Our advisory professionals combine observational data, advanced modeling and state-of-the-art research on fish mortality and tidal waters to help policymakers and resource managers assess the individual and cumulative impacts of water withdrawals for data centers, power plants, municipal water supplies and agriculture.
Producing Leaders in Observation & Modeling
"The ability to have not only the laboratory, but also the Chesapeake Bay and the York River as a working environment...there are a lot of people who simply don't have the live-in laboratory that is the VIMS campus to do their research.” - learn more about Felipe Arzayus M.S. ‘00, Monitoring and Assessment Branch Chief, NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science.
Centers, Programs & Labs:
Explore some of the centers, programs & lab groups working on observation and modeling:
- Biogeochemical Circulation Ocean Modeling (BioCOM) Lab
- Sediment Transport Modeling Lab
- Biogeochemistry Across Boundaries (Colombo) Lab
- Coastal Biogeochemistry Lab
- Coastal Hydrodynamics & Sediment Dynamics Program (CHSD)
- Collaboratory for Physical Oceanography (C4PO) Lab
- Systems Ecology and Modeling Program
- Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM)
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Forecasting (CEEF)
Stay In Touch
Follow us on social media, sign up for our monthly e-newsletter and subscribe to our semester-based print magazine to remain updated on VIMS & the Batten School's cutting-edge research, advisory work and the people that bring our science to life.