2007 IAN/UMCES calendar now available

The Integration and Application Network produces an annual pictorial calendar highlighting IAN/UMCES activities and important dates. A print quality PDF of the 2007 edition is now available from our website.

A global crisis for seagrass ecosystems; Orth et al 2006

Bioscience Article DiagramThis paper, just out in Bioscience (December 2006 56(12): 987-996), is the first synthesis product of an NCEAS (National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis) project on Global Seagrass Trajectories in which Bill Dennison and Tim Carruthers from IAN are participating. The paper concludes that "There is a critical need for a targeted global conservation effort that includes a reduction of watershed nutrient and sediment inputs to seagrass habitats and a targeted educational program informing regulators and the public of the value of seagrass meadows".

Ecosystem-based fisheries management newsletter

EcoCheck NewsletterThis newsletter describes ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM). While the standard approach to fisheries management has been to focus on one species at a time, EBFM characterizes a greater number of ecosystem components, including the physical and chemical properties of systems. Here, we explore the current and potential applications of the ecosystem-based approach. The newsletter was a collaboration between EcoCheck and NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office.

Report on nitrogen source assessment for Maryland Coastal Bays available

Ben FertigIAN graduate student Ben Fertig assessed nitrogen sources in Maryland's Coastal Bays. Partnering with the Maryland Coastal Bays Program and the Department of Natural Resources, this study focused on four regions—St Martin River, Public Landing, Johnson's Bay, and Chincoteague Island, which were found to be nitrogen 'hotspots' by a 2004 assessment. Two biological indicators, the macroalga Gracilaria and the native oyster Crassostrea virginica, were used to integrate nitrogen over short and long term time periods, respectively. Ben is exploring the potential of these indicators to determine and monitor nutrient sources to augment conventional water quality monitoring. This report details the study's findings.

The role of the coastal ocean in the disturbed and undisturbed nutrient and carbon cycles: A management perspective

LOICZ Report DiagramsThis report was recently published by the Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) project with the support of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). It provides new assessment tools for coastal management programs and discusses the key science outputs of the project. Science communicators at IAN worked with authors and designers to create nine figures for the 40-page report. These figures describe themes ranging from the features of coastal zones to terrestrial nutrient inputs.