R/PT-05

The importance of understanding ecological complexity to predicting effects of multiple stressors on coastal systems (Year one of five)

Principal Investigator:

Denise L. Breitburg

Start/End Year:

1995 - 2001

Institution:

Academy of Natural Sciences Estuarine Research Center

Co-Principal Investigator:

James G. Sanders, Academy of Natural Sciences Estuarine Research Center

Topic(s):

Ecosystems and Restoration

Description:

To determine the accumulative effects of current, increased and decreased levels of multiple stressors on a representative coastal system; to determine how ecological complexity, variability, and spatial structure affect the response of a representative coastal system to multiple stressors and the ability of managers to predict that response; and to determine how a variety of management options may affect both the biota and the economic value of the system.

Related Publications:

Breitburg, DL; Riedel, G. 2005. Multiple stressors in marine systems. Norse, EA; Crowder, LB, eds.Marine Conservation Biology: The Science of Maintaining the Sea's Biodiversity. Island Press.Chapter 10:167 -182. UM-SG-RS-2005-31.

Richmond, CE; Breitburg, DL; Rose, KA. 2005. The role of environmental generalist species in ecosystem function. Ecological Modelling188(24):279 -295. doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2005.03.002. UM-SG-RS-2005-29.

Riedel, GF; Sanders, JG; Breitburg, DL. 2003. Seasonal variability in response of estuarine phytoplankton communities to stress: Linkages between toxic trace elements and nutrient enrichment. Estuaries26(2):323 -338. doi:10.1007/BF02695971. UM-SG-RS-2003-04.

Wiegner, TN; Seitzinger, SP; Breitburg, DL; Sanders, JG. 2003. The effects of multiple stressors on the balance between autotrophic and heterotrophic processes in an estuarine system. Estuaries26(2):352 -364. doi:10.1007/BF02695973. UM-SG-RS-2003-30.

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