Research Product

During the scientific study phase, the U.S. Chesapeake Bay Program examined the complex ecological structure and processes of the Bay estuary in a coherent and manageable framework. The framework was supported by a rational spatial scaling or segmentation, with an implicit temporal scale. The historic geological, physical, chemical (water quality), and biological data were analyzed within this framework to determine trends, correlations and, where appropriate, causal relationships. The overall process resulted in a synthesis or statement on the environmental condition of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. We provide an explanation of the strengths and weaknesses of the approach and suggest improvements in future efforts of this type.