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needed to understand the complexities of how most estuaries function.
In 1984, some of the nation's most capable estuarine researchers
gathered in Raleigh H.C., for the first in a series of national
estuarine symposiums. Based on the latest scientific information and
protocols, the researchers recommended research directions for better
understanding estuarine functions. This assessment resulted In five
categories of problem-oriented estuarine research. All five categories
of research can be conducted on NERRS sites. Moreover, the National
Estuarine Reserve Research Office is likely to place emphasis on these
categories in program development. The categories are:
1. Hater management and estuarine productivity
One of the most important problems currently facing our nation Is the
allocation of freshwater resources. As municipal, commercial,
industrial, agricultural and recreational demands for water Increase,
availability of water to estuaries decreases. Changing land use near
the estuaries and upstream tributaries affects the quantity, quality and
timing of freshwater Inflows. Since estuaries, by definition, involve
the Inflow and mixing of fresh and salt water, these variances may
impose significant changes on estuarine productivity. The relationship
between freshwater inflow and productivity in the estuaries poses an
exceedingly Important research question. Me need to know the
quantitative relationship between freshwater inflows and fisheries
production in estuaries. In addition, we need to determine how much
fresh water 1s too much or too little on a seasonal and annual basis.
2. Sediment management and estuarine productivity
Sediment quantity and quality can affect estuarine productivity. Man's
activities In the watershed can affect sediment processes such as the
rate of accumulation and contaminant absorption. To better understand
sediment management, researchers need to examine the rates of
accumulation and the changes in sediment composition between points of
entry and accumulation. Scientists also need to categorize the
processes controlling the movement, absorption and desorptlon of
contaminants and develop the capability to predict the relationship
between sediment accumulation and habitat type for a range of
environmental conditions.
3. Nutrients and other contaminants and estuarine productivity
There are increasing nutrient problems In estuaries. More people are
living near our nation's coast. The resulting increased use of
inorganic fertilizers and conversion of wetlands to urban and
agricultural use overloads the estuary's ability to act as a nutrient
and sediment sink and Increases estuarine nutrient levels. He do not
yet understand the relationships between nutrient inputs, recycling and
production. Researchers need to test how an estuarine ecosystem
responds to combinations of nutrient inputs and recycling. And
scientists should examine the fate of synthetic chemicals and metals in
estuaries.
4. Coupling of primary and secondary productivity
Estuarine ecosystems are characterized by high levels of primary and
secondary productivity. The relationship between primary and secondary