2. Longer Range, More Fundamental Studies. 



The preceding discussion has dealt in some detail with short-range, project-oriented 

 studies designed for specific and generally immediate needs. More basic, and general studies 

 that would provide broad base-line knowledge for prediction of environmental effects 

 require more time. The resulting information would provide the necessary background for 

 design of environmental monitoring and warning systems, and also provide knowledge for 

 construction of beneficial modifications of environments. 



The fields needing fundamental research are: 



(a) Substrate characteristics. 



(b) Interactions between the substrate and the overlying water column in regard to 

 exchanges of nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other organic and inorganic 

 constituents. 



(c) Detailed local hydrographic studies. 



(d) Inventories of fauna, flora, and microbial populations, in and on the substrate 

 and in the overlying water column, with attention to both developmental and adult stages 

 of permanent and temporary inhabitants. 



(e) Biotic-abiotic interdependency studies. 



(f) Studies of material and energy flow through the ecosystem, including the 

 decomposition and conversion steps of the energy and material cycles. 



(g) Construction of mathematical models to aid in coordination and in 

 interpretation of data. 



(h) Studies in social and technological areas to complement the ecological studies. 



Research in these areas has usually been uncoordinated with little standardization of 



methodology or instrumentation. Consequently results are difficult to compare. 



Encouraging signs are emerging of increased effort to provide standardization. 



17 



