Two statistical approaches, weighted regression on time, discharge, and season and generalized addi- tive models, have recently been used to evaluate water quality trends in estuaries. Both models have been used in similar contexts despite differences in statistical foundations and products. This study provided an empirical and qualitative comparison of both models using 29 years of data for two discrete time series of chlorophyll-a (chl-a) in the Patuxent River estuary.

The influence of sea level rise and warming on circulation and water quality of the Chesapeake Bay under projected climate conditions in 2050 were estimated by computer simulation. Four estuarine circulation scenarios in the estuary were run using the same watershed load in 1991-2000 period. They are, 1) the Base Scenario, which represents the current climate condition, 2) a Sea Level Rise Scenario, 3) a Warming Scenario, and 4) a combined Sea Level Rise and Warming Scenario.

Interactions among global change stressors and their effects at large scales are often proposed, but seldom evaluated. This situation is primarily due to lack of comprehensive, sufficiently long-term, and spatially extensive datasets. Seagrasses, which provide nursery habitat, improve water quality, and constitute a globally important carbon sink, are among the most vulnerable habitats on the planet.

Antimicrobial resistance is a global health issue. The discharge, maintenance and transfer of antimicrobial resistance to the aquatic environment and the risk this presents is relatively unknown. This work describes the presence and distribution of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli in surface waters of seven rivers in south east Queensland, Australia.

On Oct. 13–14, 2016, River Action, in association with the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association, hosted the ninth annual Upper Mississippi River Conference, entitled “Raise the Grade,” in Moline, Illinois. The conference brought together over 200 participants from 95 organizations to develop solutions to overcome the many challenges identified in the 2015 America’s Watershed Initiative (AWI) Report Card for the Mississippi River watershed.

The Indian River Lagoon on the east coast of Florida is a biodiverse ecosystem of temperate and tropical habitats with significant aesthetic, social, and economic value. However, development pressures have been increasing for decades with 2016 being a year of record algal blooms and fish kills.

The Department of the Interior Climate Science Centers (CSCs) and their managing organization, the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center at the U.S. Geological Survey, have chosen the emerging climate science field of Ecological Drought as a research focus area. This newsletter highlights the outcomes of a two-day workshop held in Norman, Oklahoma, as part of a series of meetings at each of the nation’s eight CSCs.

La costa de Yucatán, en el NE de México, que limita con el Golfo de México, apoya una alta biodiversidad de plantas y animales, así como importantes actividades pesqueras y de turismo. Sin embargo, el rápido crecimiento de la región en términos de desarrollo costero está poniendo una inmensa presión sobre estos recursos naturales.

The Yucatan coast of NE Mexico that borders the Gulf of Mexico supports a high biodiversity of plants and animals, as well as important fisheries and tourism activities. However, the region's rapid growth in terms of coastal development is putting immense pressure on these natural resources.

Save the Sound along with its partners produced the Long Island Sound report card. Overall, Long Island Sound health is good, but the job's not done. There is an east-west gradient from healthy water in the Eastern Long Island Sound (received a grade of A) to unhealthy water in the Western Narrows (received a grade of F). The report card compares water quality indicators (dissolved oxygen, nutrients, chlorophyll a, and water clarity) to scientifically derived thresholds or goals.