You are here:
BOOK REVIEW: ESTUARINE SCIENCE: A SYNTHETIC APPROACH TO RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
Citation:
Ferraro, S P. BOOK REVIEW: ESTUARINE SCIENCE: A SYNTHETIC APPROACH TO RESEARCH AND PRACTICE. Edition 2, Quarterly Review of Biology. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL, 76(2):253-254, (2001).
Description:
This book is the product of fifty leading estuarine scientists most of whom attended a workshop convened for the purpose of "put[ting] together the case for synthesis of estuarine data and to show the capabilities of synthetic methods of research" (p. 2). The editor, John E. Hobbie, in the introductory chapter, summarizes the topic areas of the book and discusses the importance of estuaries, why a synthesis approach is needed in estuarine research, types of estuarine syntheses, and the workshop consensus views on the value of a synthetic approach for estuarine management. The remainder of the book's 18 chapters are divided into five parts corresponding to the five workshop working groups: 1. Drainage Basin Synthetic Studies, 2. Coupling of Physics and Ecology, 3. Linking Biogeochemical Processes and Food Webs, 4. Controls of Estuarine Habitats, and 5. Synthesis for Estuarine Management. Each part begins with a brief (~1 ? p) introduction followed by 1-3 chapters from the workshop plenary talks. The last chapter in each part is a working group report.
The editor defines synthesis as "the bringing together of existing information in order to discover patterns, mechanisms, and interactions that lead to new concepts and models" (p. 1-2). As evidenced by the case studies reported in this book, syntheses can be accomplished in a variety of different ways, at different spatial and temporal scales, and for many different basic and applied research goals. The goals include a better understanding of the major controlling factors and better prediction of their effects on important estuarine processes and ecosystem services values. In part 1, Howarth et al. discuss the use of the Generalized Watershed Loading Function model to estimate organic carbon fluxes to the Hudson River estuary and riverine nitrogen fluxes to coastal areas; Vorosmarty and Peterson review and critique continental- to global-scale water and nutrient flux models; and Fisher et al. propose general principles, approaches and priorities for understanding and modeling material transport to estuaries. In part 2, Morris discusses the effects of changes in sea level on pore water salinity and nutrient budgets; Hofmann reviews and gives examples of Eulerian, Lagrangian and combined physical-biological circulation models; Jay et al. critique estuarine classification approaches linking physical attributes to ecosystem processes; and Geyer et al. provide an overview of comparison approaches and numerical models for linking physical processes to ecosystem structure. In part 3, Seitzinger identifies scalable relationships between nitrogen loadings and denitrification and residence time; Rabalais et al. summarize the effects of nutrient loadings from the Mississippi River on animal communities in the Gulf of Mexico; and Boynton and Kemp investigate affects of river flow rates and nutrient loadings on various biogeochemical processes. The final chapter in part 3 by Kremer et al. is an excellent working group report in which the authors describe five general synthesis approaches (long-term data collection, cross-ecosystem comparisons, computational models, nutrient and energy budgets, and experiments), give examples of each, discuss their strengths and weaknesses, make recommendations, and discuss their utility for management. In part 4, Reed discusses marsh development; Cerco describes the development of the Chesapeake Bay Model; Demers et al. present and give examples of the application of a spatially explicit fish growth potential model; and Simenstad et al. give good advice on ways to investigate the role of habitat structure on estuarine secondary production and food webs. In part 5, Costanza and Voinov introduce ecological economic systems modeling and explain the Patuxent Watershed Model; and Boesch et al. discuss some accomplishments and challenges of estuarine management and the roles of scientists and government agencies.
Interdisciplinary scientific syntheses will be required to answer the big scientific questions and address the major management issues in estuaries. This book marks a watershed in estuarine science. It provides state-of-the-science case studies, guidance, recommendations, and the groundwork for future work to address the big questions and major issues. The literature cited is current, including papers in press. Educators should consider all or parts of this book required reading for graduate-level courses or tutorials in estuarine science. Serious students and estuarine professionals should read this book; many, I suspect, will want a personal copy.