Science behind management of Shark Bay and Florida Bay, two P-limited subtropical systems with different climatology and human pressures

Authors

Gary A. Kendrick, Oceans Institute and School of Plant Biology, University of Western AustraliaFollow
James W. Fourqurean, Department of Biological Sciences and Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International UniversityFollow
Mathew A. Fraser, Oceans Institute and School of Plant Biology, University of Western Australia
Michael R. Heithaus, Department of Biological Sciences and Marine Sciences Program, Florida International UniversityFollow
Gary D. Jackson, Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Fisheries
Kim Freidman, Oceans Institute and School of Plant Biology, University of Western Australia
David Hallac, Yellowstone Center for Resources

Abstract

This special issue on ‘Science for the management of subtropical embayments: examples from Shark Bay and Florida Bay’ is a valuable compilation of individual research outcomes from Florida Bay and Shark Bay from the past decade and addresses gaps in our scientific knowledge base in Shark Bay especially. Yet the compilation also demonstrates excellent research that is poorly integrated, and driven by interests and issues that do not necessarily lead to a more integrated stewardship of the marine natural values of either Shark Bay or Florida Bay. Here we describe the status of our current knowledge, introduce the valuable extension of the current knowledge through the papers in this issue and then suggest some future directions. For management, there is a need for a multidisciplinary international science program that focusses research on the ecological resilience of Shark Bay and Florida Bay, the effect of interactions between physical environmental drivers and biological control through behavioural and trophic interactions, and all under increased anthropogenic stressors. Shark Bay offers a ‘pristine template’ for this scale of study.

Comments

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation through the Florida Coastal Everglades Long-Term Ecological Research program under Cooperative Agreements #DBI-0620409 and #DEB-9910514. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Recommended Citation

Kendrick, G.A., J.W. Fourqurean, M.W. Fraser, M.R. Heithaus, G. Jackson, K. Friedman, D. Hallac. 2012. Science behind management of Shark Bay and Florida Bay, two P-limited subtropical systems with different climatology and human pressures. Marine and Freshwater Research 63: 941-951.