IAN is committed to producing practical, user-centered communications that foster a better understanding of science and enable readers to pursue new opportunities in research, education, and environmental problem-solving. Our publications synthesize scientific findings using effective science communication techniques.

An Eye Opening Approach to Integrated Environmental Assessments (Page 1)

An Eye Opening Approach to Integrated Environmental Assessments

Bill Dennison, Tim Carruthers, Jane Hawkey ·
6 February 2006

Environmental management is not practiced in a vacuum. Effective stewardship of natural resources requires the adoption of multiple objectives set forth by diverse groups of stakeholders with varied perspectives and interests. Within this management landscape, integrated environmental assessments provide a useful framework for evaluating resources and directing management efforts.

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Seagrasses of Southwest Australia (Page 1)

Seagrasses of Southwest Australia

Tim Carruthers, Tracey Saxby, Bill Dennison ·
4 November 2005

Southwest Australia has warm temperate water with a mixture of tropical influences from the Leeuwin Current and cool southern waters. This mixing of tropical and temperate water results in diverse seagrass communities occurring in a wide variety of coastal habitats. Almost half of the world's ~60 seagrass species can be found along this 1,500 km of coast. Seagrasses are important to the marine environment as they stabilise sediments and trap nutrients, helping to maintain water quality.

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Seagrasses of Southwest Australia: Estuaries (Page 1)

Seagrasses of Southwest Australia: Estuaries

Tim Carruthers, Tracey Saxby, Bill Dennison ·
3 November 2005

Estuaries are transition zones where rivers meet the ocean, creating an environment with large seasonal fl uctuations in temperature, salinity, and light. These difficult growing conditions provide some unique challenges for seagrasses. In southwest Australia, estuaries are usually closed by a sand bar at the mouth, cutting them off from the ebb and fl ow of the tide for long periods. Winter rains flow down-river into the estuaries, raising the water level until it breaks through the sand bar.

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Seagrasses of Southwest Australia: South Coast (Page 1)

Seagrasses of Southwest Australia: South Coast

Tim Carruthers, Tracey Saxby, Bill Dennison ·
2 November 2005

On the south coast, a diverse range of seagrasses grow in habitats protected from the full force of waves by islands and headlands. South coast seagrasses grow on silica sand to a depth of about 30 m and on carbonate sand beyond 30 m depth. Many seagrasses grow in these sheltered zones, including most of the species found on the west coast. Beyond the shelter of the headlands, waves roll in from the open ocean and seagrasses are subjected to very high wave action.

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Developing a Chesapeake Bay Report Card (Page 1)

Developing a Chesapeake Bay Report Card

Adrian Jones, Bill Dennison, Jane Thomas ·
29 January 2004

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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Seagrass habitats of Bocas del Toro province: a balance between river, mangrove and coral influences (Page 1)

Seagrass habitats of Bocas del Toro province: a balance between river, mangrove and coral influences

Tim Carruthers ·
14 July 2003

This poster summarizes the key features of the seagrass communites in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, Panama. Seagrass meadows within this region are strongly influenced by their proximity to coral reefs, mangrove forests and coastal rivers. Reef, mangrove and river inputs influence sediment type and water clarity, two very important factors affecting the occurrence and abundance of seagrass meadows.

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Submarine Springs and Sewage (Page 1)

Submarine Springs and Sewage

Tim Carruthers, Bill Dennison ·
1 October 2002

This poster presents data from the lagoons along the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, a region undergoing appreciable growth. The region is characterized by karst limestone without appreciable surface drainage or rivers. However, there are various submarine springs and fissures that deliver runoff to coastal waters. The tropical seagrass Thalassia testudinum was sampled near the developed regions of Cancun as well as in the Puerto Morelos lagoon to the south.

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