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Alabama Center For Estuarine Studies (ACES)

University of South Alabama

The mission of the Alabama Center for Estuarine Studies (ACES) is to develop a mechanistic understanding of how human induced modifications singly and in concert produce changes in the structure and function of coastal ecosystems. The primary goals of ACES are: (1) the use of sustained experimentation and observation to understand how the most common human-induced modifications of the coastal zone produce changes in ecosystem structure and function; and 2) the application of this understanding to develop prudent management strategies for sustaining the productivity of our coastal land and seascapes. ACES will focus on the following research areas: The effects of eutrophication resulting from both point and non-point sources, including harmful algal blooms, decreasing water clarity and hypoxia The effects of changing land use patterns in the watershed, including the consequences of changing agricultural practices, logging and urbanization The direct and indirect effects of harvesting finfish and shellfish, including physical alterations of the substrate as well as shifts in species composition Basic biological parameters, likely to be impacted by anthropogenic changes, of key estuarine and nearshore species, especially species of major'' ecological or economic importance The social and economic impacts of continued human-induced modifications of coastal environments The development and testing of a wide variety of strategies for: (1) improved understanding and prediction of human-induced changes in coastal ecosystems; and (2) promoting the use of adaptive management practices to solve problems in the coastal zone.

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