CONTENTS 



Page 



Introduction 1 



Methods and materials 1 



Geography 1 



Hydrography 3 



Bottom sediments 6 



Tides and currents 6 



Plankton 9 



Other populations 9 



Summary 13 



Literature cited 20 



Acknowledgments 21 



ABSTRACT 



Three Fish and Wildlife Service and three State of Maine organiza- 

 tions collaborated on a comprehensive study of the ecology of the Sheepscot 

 River estuary. This paper gives background material to introduce papers 

 to follow by describing the physical, and biological characteristics of the 

 estuary: Its geography, hydrography, bottom sediments, plankton com- 

 position and distribution, and higher animals and plants in the several 

 habitat zones. Lists of the common aquatic animals and plants are included. 



iii 



