Preface to the Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science

Abstract

Why a Treatise?

For the inhabitants of many of the world's major cities and towns, estuaries and coasts provide their nearest glimpse of a natural ecosystem which, despite the attempts of man to pollute it or reclaim it, has remained a fascinating insight into a natural world where energy is transformed from sunlight into plant material, and then through the steps of a food chain is converted into a rich food supply for birds and fish. In spite of natural and man-made problems, life in estuaries can be very abundant because estuarine vegetation and muds are a rich food supply, which can support a large number of animals with a large total weight and a high annual production. Indeed, estuaries have been claimed to be among the most productive natural habitats in the world. Estuaries and coastal waters and their shores provide a wealth of food and ecosystems which support fish, birds, and other wildlife and contribute significantly to the quality of life for humanity.