This is the first in a series of newsletters to be produced by the Monitoring and Analysis Subcommittee (MASC). MASC coordinates and supports the monitoring activities of the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP). Newsletters produced by MASC will summarize current and significant issues relating to the health of Chesapeake Bay ecosystems, those factors that affect the health of the Bay, and the restoration effort.

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The often-rapid deposition of phytoplankton to sediments at the end of the spring phytoplankton bloom is an important component of benthic-pelagic coupling in temperate and high latitude estuaries and other aquatic systems. However, quantifying the flux is difficult, particularly in spatially heterogeneous environments.

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We conducted high-resolution, underway sampling in April, July, and October for 6 yr (1995-2000) in the large estuary, Chesapeake Bay. This period included climatological extremes in freshwater inputs that strongly influenced both the overall stocks and spatial distribution of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Higher biomass of both phytoplankton and zooplankton occurred in springs, when freshwater input into Chesapeake Bay was above the average discharge.

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This newsletter is based on research conducted by Dr Mark Luckenbach and a presentation he gave at the Chesapeake Bay Seminar Series in July 2003. The introduction of Crassostrea ariakensis into Chesapeake Bay has been proposed for both economic and ecological gain. Data exists suggesting that C. ariakensis grows significantly faster and is more resistant to the diseases that have devastated the native oyster.

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This newsletter is based on the 'Status of nutrients in Delmarva soils, groundwaters, creeks and tributaries forum', October 21, 2003. Extensive poultry operations and associated feed grain production on the Delmarva Peninsula have resulted in elevated nutrient levels in soils, groundwater, creeks and tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay.

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This poster details the importance of developing a scientifically rigorous, spatially explicit ecosystem health report card on Chesapeake Bay and its watershed to facilitate coordination and feedback between monitoring, management and research. A pilot study was conducted in July 2003 on the Patuxent and Choptank Rivers using a novel stable isotope technique (see "Assessing Nutrient Sources" newsletter below) together with more traditional water quality monitoring techniques.

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Management of coastal systems is becoming increasingly important, however understanding the process of effective management often remains elusive. This chapter contrasts examples of environmental problems and associated management in Moreton Bay, Australia, and Chesapeake Bay, USA. Targeted research in Moreton Bay identified specific issues which led to changed practices, while intense management and research in Chesapeake Bay has been unable to keep pace with increasing anthropogenic stress.

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This newsletter details the importance of developing a scientifically rigorous, spatially explicit ecosystem health report card on Chesapeake Bay and its watershed to facilitate coordination and feedback between monitoring, management and research. A pilot study was conducted in July 2003 on the Patuxent and Choptank Rivers using a novel stable isotope technique (see "Assessing Nutrient Sources" newsletter below) together with more traditional water quality monitoring techniques.

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This science newsletter focuses on the role of the Integration and Application Network (IAN) in achieving healthy Chesapeake waterways. This is the first in a series of IAN newsletters on topical issues and is directed towards the scientific and technical audience. This newsletter identifies IAN's vision for Healthy Chesapeake Waterways and includes an overview of environmental problem solving, through transfer of data into information into knowledge and ultimately into problem solving.

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The Optical Plankton Counter (OPC) has been used in oceanic and fresh waters to estimate zooplankton abundance and biovolume. However, it is not clear whether the OPC can produce accurate estimates of zooplankton abundance and biovolume in waters with high detritus.

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