Interaction between physical processes and ecosystem structure: a comparative approach
Geyer, W.R.; Morris, J.T.; Prahl, F.G.; Jay, D.A. (2000). Interaction between physical processes and ecosystem structure: a comparative approach, in: Hobbie, J.E. (Ed.) Estuarine science: a synthetic approach to research and practice. pp. 177-206
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 |
- Geyer, W.R.
- Morris, J.T.
- Prahl, F.G.
- Jay, D.A.
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| Abstract |
This review assesses our current understanding of the role of physical on estuarine ecology and advocates a comparative approach in future efforts to understand the linkage between the physics and biology. Physical processes affect the ecology at a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. These interactions also occur simultaneously at different trophic levels and may include multiple, interacting variables. Due to the breadth of scales and the complexity of these interactions, our understanding of the relationship between the physics and ecology of estuaries is still seriously limited. One important step toward improving our understanding of these processes is the systematic comparison of physical and ecological processes among different estuarine systems. Such a comparative approach provides much more dynamic range than can be accomplished by studies within an individual system. More effective use of numerical models will also be of considerable vaue, both for process studies and for realistic simulations of particular estuaries. Both simple and complex numerical models should be used in conjuction with comparative studies among estuaries to quantify relationships between physical forcing and ecological processes. |
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