This report summarizes monitoring data collected over the past several years for water quality, aquatic living resources, and habitat categories. It utilizes conceptual diagrams for each reporting region to highlight the key ecosystem processes, biota and estuarine health problems.

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The National Fisheries Conservation Center convened the meeting (chaired by Dr. Don Boesch, president of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science) to bring together modelers, ecologists, fishermen, stock assessment scientists and other analysts to try to produce a more integrated theoretical basis for designing, managing and monitoring marine reserves as part of the fishery management system.

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An assessment of nitrogen sources to the Choptank and Patuxent River (including Island Creek), was conducted during the summer of 2003. Results demonstrated that both rivers were compromised with sewage derived nutrients. An Ecosystem Health Index for defined reporting regions was calculated from a variety of ecosystem heath parameters and then converted to a report card grade from A+ to D- and F for fail (Table 1).

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This is the eighth in a series of Pew Center reports examining the potential impacts of climate change on the U.S. environment. It details the likely impacts of climate change over the next century on U.S. coastal and marine ecosystems, including estuaries, coral reefs, and the open ocean. Coordinator: Dr Victor Kennedy … • Temperature changes in coastal and marine ecosystems will influence organism metabolism and alter ecological processes such as productivity and species interactions.

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Marine Pollution in the United States: Significant Accomplishments, Future Challenges has been prepared by UMCES' faculty experts for use by the Pew Oceans Commission in evaluating national oceans policy regarding environmental quality and marine resources. The Pew Oceans Commission is an independent group of distinguished Americans conducting a national dialogue on the policies needed to restore and protect living marine resources in U.S. waters.

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This report was prepared for the Pew Center on Global Climate Change to provide an overview of the potential effects of climate change on natural terrestrial ecosystems and their component species. Published in December 2000, it is the fifth in a series of reports examining the potential impacts of climate change on the U.S. environment. Coordinator:

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This report, released by the Coastal Ocean Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as part of the U.S. National Assessment on global climate change, details the potential impacts of climate change on coastal and marine resources of the United States. Coordinator: Dr. Donald F. Boesch.

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Scientists from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science have evaluated the scientific understanding and uncertainty related to five issues regarding the environmental effects of placement of dredged sediments at Site 104, at the head of the deep, natural channel of the Chesapeake Bay. This assessment was based on reviews of relevant studies and impact statements as well as on the scientists’ extensive knowledge and experience concerning the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.

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