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ERF 2005 Conference Theme

Estuaries and coastal lagoons are complex environments located at the border between sea and land. Geologically they are ephemeral, yet they are important components of the coastal landscape providing many critical ecosystem functions including moderation of storm and flood events, interception and transformation of terrestrial nutrients, storage of water, and support of fisheries.

Understanding the causes that lead to the formation and evolution of estuaries and coastal landscape is a key element for assessing the impact of human activities and climate change on them. Fundamental to understanding coastal evolution is the strong link between physical and ecological processes.

Historically, the main focus in coastal and estuarine science has been on physical controls on biological processes. However, a recently emerging area of interest and understanding is the way biological processes alter and provide feedbacks to the physical processes. For example, when vegetation encroaches on tidal marsh surfaces and stabilizes sediments, the accumulation of organic material in the marsh soil thereby alters sediment geochemical processes. Another example is the development of oyster reefs on bay bottoms that alters water column circulation patterns. In these examples we see biological processes are actively altering the estuarine physical/ chemical environment.

We look forward to learning about and deepening our appreciation of the interactions between physics and biology through analysis of these and other examples. While ERF conferences cover a wide range of topics, we highlight this area of investigation as the theme of the Federation's next biennial conference.

Goals for ERF 2005

  • Maximize the time for scientific interaction through structured/ unstructured elements and minimize competition from other factors.
  • Maximize the opportunities for participants to give presentations while keeping meeting costs affordable.
  • Maximize the diversity of scientific/ management presentations
  • Maximize the opportunity for big picture synthesis - new and exciting science


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