Coastal Ecosystems: Evolution and Comparative Analysis

Explores how two coastal ecosystems are responding to the pressures of human expansion

The Northern Adriatic Sea, a continental shelf ecosystem in the Northeast Mediterranean Sea, and the Chesapeake Bay, a major estuary of the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States, are semi-enclosed, river-dominated ecosystems with urbanized watersheds that support extensive industrial agriculture.   

Coastal Ecosystems in Transition: A Comparative Analysis of the Northern Adriatic and Chesapeake Bay presents an update of a study published two decades ago. Revisiting these two ecosystems provides an opportunity to assess changing anthropogenic pressures in the context of global climate change. The new insights can be used to inform ecosystem-based approaches to sustainable development of coastal environments.

Volume highlights include:

•Effects of nutrient enrichment and climate-driven changes on critical coastal habitats

•Patterns of stratification and circulation

•Food web dynamics from phytoplankton to fish

•Nutrient cycling, water quality, and harmful algal events

•Causes and consequences of interannual variability

The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals.