BE/CNH: The Estuarine Research Federation Initiative in Biocomplexity: Facilitation of Research on Estuarine Responses to Climate Change and Variability (Workshop Spring 2002)

University Of Maryland Center For Environmental Sciences, Cambridge MD

Investigators

Abstract

This project will develop a prioritized research agenda for studies of the effects of climate change and variability on estuarine systems. Although there is a general understanding of the physical effects of such changes, the consequences to the biodiversity and functioning of these ecosystems-or their biocomplexity-are poorly understood. The investigators are particularly interested in the mechanisms by which estuarine and coastal biocomplexity allows ecosystems to adapt to climate forcing in the context of human population impacts. Drs. Boesch and Giblin plan a community town meeting at the biennial conference of the Estuarine Research Federation, and a focused workshop involving estuarine, social and climate scientists. The objective of these meetings is to facilitate idea sharing and team building among climate change scientists, social scientists and scientists working in traditional estuarine disciplines. This project is expected to accelerate the involvement of the estuarine science community in addressing the complex and critically important questions of climate change effects in the fragile coastal zone.