Halpern, David, R. Dale Pillsbury, and Robert L. Smith, 1974: 

 An interconiparison of three current meters operated in 

 shallow water, Deep-Sea Res. 21:489-497. 



Halpern, David, 1974: Observations of the deepening of the 

 wind-mixed layer in the Northeast Pacific Ocean, /. Pins. 

 Oceanogr. 4(3) :454-466. 



" These reports may be obtained from the National Technical Informa- 

 tion Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151 



clear: (1) the increased awareness of the importance of near- 

 shore waters in the productivity of the oceans, coupled with 

 the increased awareness of the vulnerability of nearshore waters 



to human activities; (2) the increased emphasis marine biolo- 

 gists are placing on nearshore renewable resources; and (3) the 

 identification of seagrass ecosystems as a next phase of needed 

 research by the recently completed International Biological 

 Program (IBP). 



Seagrass Ecosystem Study (SES) 



This study was begun in July 1974 to provide information 

 about the benthic marine ecosystem, particularly the dynamic 

 processes by which seagrass ecosystems are maintained, their 

 extent, and their contribution to the total marine ecosystem. 



Several factors have made the need for these studies 



The SES program will formulate models to evaluate eco- 

 system theories, help design experiments, carry on specific 

 experiments, and coordinate the research at national and inter- 

 national levels. The first projects will emphasize ( 1 ) identifi- 

 cation of critical biological processes in seagrass ecosystems 

 and (2) assessment of the importance of seagrass ecosystems. 

 As the program progresses, emphasis will be on improved mod- 

 els and prediction of processes. The ultimate goal will be to 

 learn how these systems are maintained and interact with other 

 systems over long periods of time. The program (fig. 13) con- 

 sists of three phases: Seagrass One — Pilot studies on critical 

 biological processes, including laboratory culture and trans- 

 planting experiments; Seagrass Two — Studies of seagrass eco- 

 systems that are readily accessible to participating scientists; 

 and Seagrass Three — Intensive studies at selected sites, repre- 

 senting ecosystem types and bringing together researchers from 

 this and other countries. Participants in the SES program are 

 identified in table 9. 



Non-U. S. 

 Seagrass 

 Projects 



^ SI 



O Q. 



o < 



NSFIDOE 



International 



Seagrass 



Committee 



Advisory 

 Committee 



Executive 

 Council 



I 



Productivity & 



physiological 



ecology 



I 



Systematic 

 ecology 



Decomposition 

 & Mineral 

 cycling 



Consumer 

 ecology 



Applied 

 ecology 



Other U.S. 



Seagrass 



Projects 



Oceanography 



PHASE 1. Pilot Program: Initial research and feasibility study (1.5 years) 



I 

 o 

 q: 

 < 



LlJ 



PHASE II. Developmental Research: Functional and structural studies of seagrass 

 ecosystems using local resources (3 years) 



PHASE 111. Field Sites: International integrated studies and synthesis (3 years) 



Figure 13. — Program structure of Seagrass Ecosjslem Study. 



41 



