Habitat-biotic interactions
Simenstad, C.A.; Brandt, S.B.; Chalmers, A.; Dame, R.; Deegan, L.A.; Hodson, R.E.; Houde, E.D. (2000). Habitat-biotic interactions, in: Hobbie, J.E. (Ed.) Estuarine science: a synthetic approach to research and practice. pp. 427-455
In: Hobbie, J.E. (Ed.) (2000). Estuarine science: A synthetic approach to research and practice. Island Press: Washington D.C.ISBN 1-55963-700-5. XI, 539 pp., more
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Authors | | Top |
- Simenstad, C.A.
- Brandt, S.B.
- Chalmers, A.
- Dame, R.
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- Deegan, L.A.
- Hodson, R.E.
- Houde, E.D.
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Abstract |
Conventional concepts of estuarine and near-shore coastal habitat are generally inadequate descriptions of processes and organisms that respond to habitat variability and change or integrate far larger and more complex "habitat landscapes." In particular, the role of structure within and among habitats, networks through which organisms and critical processes that influence secondary production operate, and the role of estuarine circulation "control point" features in shaping food-web structure and variability are poorly known. In response to these gaps, the Habitat-Biotic Interactions Working Group established as their goal to identify approaches needed to synthesize a mechanistic understanding of how habitat structure influences estuarine secondary production and food webs. We recommend eight major steps to enhance synthesis of natural and anthropogenic changes in estuarine production related to habitat-biotic interactions: (1) develop an estuarine habitat classification scheme that relates habitat structure to estuarine production and food-web processes; (2) examine existing long-term data sets to identify the scope and frequency of variability in habitat structure; (3) implement comparative studies of habitat function; (4) develop and link habitat and landscape models that capture the dynamics of biota and process interactions over large estuarine scales; (5) develop indicators of ecosystem habitat integrity, dynamics, and variability; (6) link site-specific field experiments and modeling approaches to scale processes and process understanding across ecosystems and landscapes; (7) apply advanced measurement technologies to give details of distributions and abundances of secondary consumers not now achievable; and (8) link habitat structure to assessment and prediction of resource management scenarios. Addressing ecosystem change in response to habitat structure, as well as the impacts of coastal zone management impacts upon ecosystems, will require innovative Syntheses at much more expanded time and space scales than heretofore considered. |
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