VI-171 

 Positioning Data Collection Stations 



Another need is in positioning data collection stations. In order to 

 assure information relative to our research needs, the selection of 

 monitoring sites for data collection must be as carefully selected 

 as sampling sites for current methods of environmental analysis. 

 While it is recognized that intensive monitoring systems cannot be 

 deployed in every estuary or coastal area of the United States, all 

 major geographic and ecological zones should be covered. The develop- 

 ment of buoy, barge, or other types of field stations offer a basis 

 for the placing of monitoring systems. 



Long Term Synoptic Monitoring 



Many short-term (2 to 4 years) baseline ecological studies have been 

 completed. Their results most frequently resemble a disjointed 

 mosaic when synthesis for practical application is attempted. One 

 of the major causes for a lack of unity among such studies is the 

 "atypical year" or the "atypical area" syndrome which in essence is 

 an admission that not enough detailed environmental data were taken 

 before, during, or after such surveys to pin-point the effort in 

 "ecological time" or "ecological space." Long-term synoptic monito- 

 ring will identify and satisfy many of the knowledge gaps that must 

 be filled if there is to be any hope for coordinating and synthesizing 

 results of estuarine research in the future. 



