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1 1.10 Application of estuarine and coastal classifications in marine ...

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<strong>1.10</strong>.12.1 L<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g Patterns <strong>and</strong> Processes <strong>in</strong> Ecological Classifications<br />

Although considerable progress has been made to develop harmonized hierarchical <strong>and</strong><br />

practical <strong>classifications</strong> at national <strong>and</strong> multi-national levels, our underst<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> the<br />

relationship between the classes del<strong>in</strong>eated <strong>and</strong> the physical environment, especially <strong>in</strong> <strong>of</strong>fshore<br />

<strong>and</strong> deep waters, is still <strong>of</strong>ten limited. A key challenge <strong>in</strong> support <strong>of</strong> EBM is to develop mar<strong>in</strong>e<br />

<strong>and</strong> <strong>coastal</strong> <strong>classifications</strong> that <strong>in</strong>corporate functional characteristics <strong>of</strong> the environment that can<br />

be used to assess the health <strong>of</strong> the ecosystem <strong>and</strong> its response to disturbance. This can be<br />

challeng<strong>in</strong>g, for example, classify<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> mapp<strong>in</strong>g dynamic water circulation patterns presents<br />

certa<strong>in</strong> problems when represent<strong>in</strong>g spatial dynamics unless spatially persistent features exist at<br />

discrete locations. Likewise, the direct spatial characterization <strong>of</strong> ecological processes such as<br />

predator-prey dynamics can also be challeng<strong>in</strong>g unless more structurally obvious surrogates can<br />

be identified.<br />

In the mapp<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> seascape types, further research is needed to guide the <strong>in</strong>tegration <strong>of</strong><br />

biotic <strong>and</strong> abiotic data <strong>and</strong> the comb<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> pelagic <strong>and</strong> benthic seascapes, s<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>of</strong>ten very little<br />

is known about pelagic-benthic coupl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> the relative importance <strong>of</strong> the measured variables<br />

that are <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> the classification. Often variable <strong>in</strong>clusion is based on data availability rather<br />

than the ecological significance <strong>in</strong> describ<strong>in</strong>g the system. It is crucial to characterize seascapes <strong>in</strong><br />

an ecologically mean<strong>in</strong>gful way that will <strong>in</strong>crease the efficacy <strong>of</strong> decision mak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> better<br />

underst<strong>and</strong> the environmental drivers <strong>of</strong> change, identify rare <strong>and</strong> special <strong>in</strong>terest areas, predict<br />

the distribution <strong>of</strong> biodiversity <strong>and</strong> establish appropriate levels <strong>of</strong> protection. Clearly, the data<br />

needs for effective MSP are extensive, the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plann<strong>in</strong>g process<br />

identified key <strong>in</strong>formation needs for development <strong>of</strong> <strong>classifications</strong> that <strong>in</strong>cluded the<br />

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