Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Lecture Notes on Coastal and Estuarine Studies Series, Volume 6.

Research on estuaries has expanded rapidly during the past two decades as a result of the increasing awareness of the ecological importance of these coastal ecosystems and the recognition of their exceptional value. The high biological productivity of estuaries is indisputable as exemplified by the voluminous literature on the subject. Clearly, the significance of this ecotone extends beyond its defined limits; estuaries greatly influence biotic processes in nearby coastal waters.