channelization and open-bay spoil disposal? How do nutrients cycle within the bay and nearshore 
environments? What are the dynamics of toxic contaminants in bay and nearshelf sediments and 
their interaction with, and effects on, the water column and biota? How does bay and offshore 
primary production relate to hypoxia, coastal circulation, development of oceanic fronts and red tide 
phenomena? What are the biological, chemical, physical and geological exchange processes through 
the bay passes and the hydrographic and ecological relationship between the bay and offshore 
environment? How do reproduction and recruitment of fishery species relate to coastal oceano¬ 
graphic processes and man-induced changes in the ecosystem? What are the ecological connections 
between critical bay habitats and important fishery species, such as marshes, seagrass beds, oyster 
reefs, open bay bottom, oysters, shrimp, trout, flounder, redfish, etc. How will sea-level changes 
affect the ecosystem and'its shoreline? What are the ecological impacts of changes in coastal erosion, 
sedimentation and turbidity? 
Conclusions 
It is apparent that a considerable volume of data involving chemical, physical and biological 
parameters has been gathered on Galveston Bay by several state agencies and universities but very 
little of the material has been compiled or analyzed. It is essential that funds and manpower be made 
available to analyze and interpret the existing data to provide the information needed to describe the 
ecological relationships of the bay system. 
The uncertainties are certain to remain until further research resolves the issues. In the meantime, 
since the proposed developments are not time-dependent or constrained, it will be prudent to err on 
the side of conservation. We must avoid ecological brinkmanship, taking care not to step over the 
precipice. We must act to restore and enhance estuarine productivity, lest we be relegated by 
indifference to merely recording its decline. 
References 
1. White, W.A., T.R. Calnan, R.A. Morton, R.S. Kimble, T.G. Littleton, J.H. McGowen, H.S. Nance, 
and K.E. Schmedes, 1985. Submerged Lands of Texas, Galveston-Houston Area. Univ. Texas. 
Bur. Econ. Geol. Spec. Publ., 143pp. Austin, Texas. 
2. Armstrong, N.E., 1982. Responses of Texas estuaries to freshwater inflows, p. 105-120 in 
Estuarine Comparisons (V. Kennedy, ed.), NY: Academic Press. 
3. Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority, 1974. A report to the Texas Water Quality Board on 
Galveston Bay Project problem areas. 23pp. 
4. Texas Water Quality Board, 1975. Galveston Bay Project Summary Report. 99pp. 
5. Armstrong, N.E., 1987. The ecology of open-bay bottoms of Texas: a community profile. U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service Biol. Rept. 85 (7.12), 104 pp. Washington, D.C. 
6. Kirkpatrick, J. Unpubl. rpt. 
7. Matthews, G.A., National Marine Fisheries Service, pers. comm. 
8. Kendall, J.J., Jr., S.R. Dent, and L.H. Schmidt, 1988. The role of the Texas Water Commission in 
monitoring Galveston Bay. In Galveston Bay in the 20th Century (in press). 
9. Paine, J.G., and R.A. Morton, 1986. Historical shoreline changes in Trinity, Galveston, West and 
East Bays, Texas Gulf Coast. Bur. Econ. Geol. Geol. Circ. 86-3, 58pp. Austin, Texas. 
10. National Research Council, 1986. Ecological Knowledge and Environmental Problem-Solving: 
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