The National Estuarine Eutrophication Project: Workshop Proceedings

The National Estuarine Eutrophication Project workshops assembled a targeted group of experts to specify the potential range of eutrophication effects and associated factors which influence estuarine environments. This report presents 21 abstracts of workshop presentations, and a data table summarizing factors affecting eutrophication which was developed during the workshops. The purpose of this paper is to share these preliminary results with scientists and analysts to elicit additional commentary. The objectives of the workshop were: 1) To examine the type and potential extent of problems in U.S. estuaries attributed to eutrophication; 2) to identify factors which may control eutrophic effects resulting from nutrient loadings; 3) to examine hypothesized relationships between nutrient additions and effects in estuaries; and 4) To examine the properties of different estuarine systems to ensure that the data-collection survey would address a broad range of estuaries. The workshops consisted of prepared presentations by invited speakers and round-table discussions. The intent was to conduct modest-sized workshops to facilitate exchanges related directed to the design of the data-collection survey. Workshops were organized around specific aeas of effects. The first addressed effects on primary producers; the second focused on the role and response of the benthic community to nutrient inputs and changes in oxygen conditions. The presentations were open to the public. Many members of the local and region scientific community attended portions of the workshop sessions, and contributed valuable insight and commentary.