models for the entire characterization are listed in 

 figure 1. The four models compiled to date for the 

 Santee Test Characterization Area (fig. 1) are: the 

 marine subtidal system, the estuarine intertidal 

 emergent wetland system (fig. 6), the riverine fore- 

 sted wetland system, and the upland pine forest 

 system. The user would first be directed to these 

 and should pursue the appropriate model(s) for the 

 system(s) in question. Each system is displayed in 

 dual form: an energese diagram showing energy 

 flow into the system, interrelationships between 

 components of the system, and flow from the sys- 

 tem (fig. 6), and an accompanying pictorial or pic- 

 tograph (fig. 7) illustrating representative flora and 

 fauna tagged with appropriate producer or consu- 

 mer symbols. The user should examine the model 

 to either reaffirm presumptive relationships or 

 establish initial relationships. 



At this time, the user may also wish to review 

 species abundance and distribution charts if his/her 

 interests encompass or center on a specific group 

 or individual organisms. These charts are arranged 

 taxonomically and each is composed of representa- 

 tive species from the group. The reader may now 

 return to the models, or advance to the characteri- 

 zation products through the interaction matrices. 



The matrices provide points of entry to the 

 characterization products based on specific interests 

 of the reader. A customized matrix (e.g., fig. 8) is 

 constructed for each ecosystem modeled and pre- 

 sents intersections between primary existing envi- 

 ronmental characteristics and proposed environ- 

 mental alterations. Each intersection will provide a 

 coded entry (blanks will indicate data gaps and an 

 "x" will indicate an inappropriate interaction) to 

 the characterization narrative and atlas, and back 

 references to the models and ecological sketches. 

 The narrative, atlas, and sketches will, in turn, pro- 

 vide entry to the data appendix and bibliography. 

 In plan, the system should function as illustrated in 

 figure 9. The matrix is the central reference, keying 

 to, and being keyed from, all other products of the 

 characterization. In combination, the models, 

 ecological sketches, and interaction matrices 

 should reveal to the reader ramifications and rela- 

 tionships that are not at first apparent. They should 

 also allow full utilization of the characterization 

 products by a wide spectrum of users with diverse 

 educational backgrounds, interests, and needs. 



organizing the package materials. We also thank 

 Drs. Lee Barclay and Paul Sandifer for reviewing 

 the manuscript, Ms. Jane Davis, Karen Swanson, 

 and Rose Smith for preparing the figures, Mr. 

 David Chamberlain for constructing the ecological 

 sketches, and Ms. Mary Anne Carson for prepara- 

 tion of the typescript. 



ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 



We thank Mr. John Miglarese for his valuable 

 assistance in planning the user package concept and 



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