Derived from research spanning over 31 years in a series of studies of seven major river-estuaries, this presents a comprehensive review of the nature of the eutrophication process and how short- and long-term nutrient loading affects marine systems. It is the culmination of advanced research on how coastal systems work.

Derived from an unprecedented research effort covering over 31 years in a series of studies of 7 major river-estuaries, Eutrophication Processes in Coastal Systems presents a comprehensive and current review of the nature of the eutrophication process and how short- and long-term nutrient loading affects marine systems. This unique book is the culmination of the most advanced research to date on how coastal systems work. Based on an 11 year interdisciplinary study of the Perdido Bay System, Dr. Robert J. Livingston's groundbreaking work offers evidence for significant findings such as: Nutrient concentration gradients in fresh water as it entered the bay were stimulatory to phytoplankton blooms Species that showed distinctive seasonal and interannual successions dominated plankton blooms High relative dominance of bloom species was associated with significant reduction of phytoplankton species richness and diversity The blooms were associated with major reductions of infaunal and epibenthic macroinvertibrates, forcing a serious disruption of the food webs and losses of secondary production Eutrophication Processes in Coastal Ecosystems goes beyond its innovative analyses of how estuarine and coastal systems have responded to fundamental alterations of the eutrophication process. Dr. Livingston's book presents the case that bloom impacts must be reviewed against the background conditions that include periodic changes brought on by drought and anthropogenous dredging. It points to the critical need for further study of phytoplankton communities and the connection between plankton blooms, sediment deterioration, and low secondary production.

"The strength of the book is in its emphasis on interdisciplinary science as an essential approach to ecosystem research?In summary, this book is valuable reading to researchers and regulators dealing with the eutrophication issue. It provides a comprehensive assessment of ecosystem properties in one region, the northeastern Gulf of Mexico estuaries, and opens the possibility that the principles and mechanisms of eutrophication demonstrated here may be applicable to other regions. However, the book also succeeds on another level. It serves as an instructional treatise on what is required to adequately evaluate the eutrophication process."-COPEIA, February 2002 "?an extremely valuable addition to the reference libraries of researchers working in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries. This volume should also prove to be particularly useful to person involved in studies and discussions related to the effects of coastal eutrophication and the ultimate fate and results of nutrient load in our estuaries." - Ecology, 83(2), 2002Promo Copy