Perceptions of Currituck Sound

The Currituck Sound is a unique coastal system of numerous habitats and relatively low salinity levels which allow for it to support diverse wildlife recreational opportunities, and other important ecosystem services. However, due to various anthropogenic factors, the sound is facing multiple threats such as sea level rise, erosion, and nutrient loading. In order to protect the sound, the Currituck Sound Coalition was formed and it now works to restore the sound. This research project will look at Currituck Sound Coalition members' perceptions of the Sound, its components, processes, and how they interact. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted to create members' mental models of the Sound. Models will be analyzed for differences and similarities.