20. How do benthos serve as indicators of Bay health? 



21. What is natural variability in Bay populations vs. impacts of human activities? 



22. More studies are needed about the Bay edges, where biological activity and control are. 



23. What is the role of mudflats in Bay ecology? 



24. Mass balance studies of marsh/estuary exchanges are needed. 



25. Develop a conceptual model to focus on systems level information. 



26. What is the value of benthos as support for other resources, and as a pollution reservoir? 



27. Emphasize control of populations and processes. 



28. What are the relative values of different bottom types? 



29. Information is needed on utilization of shallows, where it isn't deep enough for trawl samples. 



30. What eats bacteria? 



31. Studies of anaerobic processes and nutrient regeneration are needed. 



32. What are the chemical and biological interactions between water column and benthos and 

 sediments? 



33. Recent and widely distributed chemical data is needed. 



34. More coordination among institutes and research programs is needed. 



35. Research the basic biology of eelgrass— physical, chemical environment, recruitment, cul- 

 turing. 



36. What is the importance of seagrasses to the Bay system— protection and food for shrimp, 

 crabs, fish, etc. 



37. Bioassay the effects of pollutants and herbicides. 



38. What has caused the decline in setting of oysters and other larvae? 



39. What are the environmental cues for fish migration? 



40. Quantitative information for food webs is needed. 



22 



