VI-97 



SECTION 3. MAJOR KNOWLEDGE GAPS AND A PROGRAM 

 OF NEEDED STUDY AND RESEARCH 



This section introduces the discussion of what must be done to pro- 

 vide the data base outlined in Section 2 coupled with the analysis, 

 research, and study required to provide the knowledge and understand- 

 ing necessary to support a program of technical management. We 

 intend to identify the major problem areas in which there are large 

 knowledge gaps and concurrently present research and study programs 

 that will provide the needed information. We will also discuss the 

 kinds of research that will supply a basis for decisions that will 

 optimize beneficial uses of the estuarine resources. The research 

 programs proposed below are designed to recognize and interpret the 

 causal relationships that are an integral part of any research pro- 

 gram of value for management decisions. This understanding of causal 

 relationships is the key to developing the capability to predict the 

 -effects of natural and man-induced activities on the estuarine zone, 

 and, hence, to manage them. 



Any discussion of knowledge gaps in major problem areas leads natur- 

 ally to a description of the broad programs necessary to satisfy this 

 need for information. Thus, as such gaps are identified, the remed- 

 ial research and study activities are developed and incorporated into 

 the appropriate discussion. 



There is no attempt to exhaustively list research projects but rather 

 to delineate the broad areas which need further study. Many of these 



