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Ecosystem modelling of Coastal Lagoons
for Sustainable Management Phase 2, 2001-2005

About... Ecosystem modelling of Coastal Lagoons for Sustainable Management (Phase II)

Aim and Scope

The output of the first phase of the pilot study is the book entitled; “ Coastal Lagoons: Ecosystem Processes and modelling for Sustainable Use and Development” which is under publication process by the Lewis Publishers, CRC Press, USA. The book will be distributed to NATO member countries, and also, to EAPC and to Non - NATO countries. This will provide on opportunity to national teams to evaluate different aspects of modelling and management of lagoon ecosystems.

It is our aim to apply the entire work of the Pilot Study (as documented in the book) in the lagoons of some of the participating countries where relevant data are available. This further will lead to testing of different ecological models on the same lagoon, gaining experience to support application in other lagoons. In order to fulfil this purpose, Turkey has already provided sufficient funds to collect data required to implement and to validate models at Dalyan Lagoon.

For the second phase, it is proposed to establish a web page and to provide an Internet communication network for collaboration with teams not only with those directly involved in the project, but with others who are related on the subject aiming to utilise the knowledge and products developed during both phases of the project. On this web page a questionnaire will be prepared to query end-users, and assistance will be provided by experts on each subject to support model application, decision- making and utilisation of model results.

All participants of the second phase will contribute to modelling of the selected sites and will access all the information gathered from the studies. During regular yearly follow-up meetings, output of models and difficulties faced during model applications in different countries will be discussed. Two intermediate meetings are foreseen at the early stage of the project, where steering decisions will be made. During these meetings, participants will produce additional material complementing the book of the first phase. At the final stage of the project, a decision will be made whether there is a need to publish a revised and expanded version of the book, or else, to write a new book on model applications.

Collaboration among the participant countries of the first phase put forth scientific unity and harmonisation of approaches. Such a valuable outcome should be evaluated and should be considered to continue in the future.

Objectives and Outputs

The objectives of the second phase may be given as follows:

• To apply ecological models as a decision-making tool on selected lagoons for utilisation of scientific knowledge and experience gained during the first phase of the Pilot Study.
• To provide scientific consultancy and training facilities for application of ecosystem modelling approach for sustainable use and development of coastal lagoons in NATO and European Alliance Partner Countries (EAPC).
• To foster communication and collaboration on ecosystem management for sustainable use and development of coastal lagoons.
• To promote inter-jurisdictional problem solving in the management of coastal lagoons.
• To create co-operation and networking among scientists and decision-makers in NATO and EPAC countries.

The participants will apply ecological models in the selected coastal lagoons as a decision making tool for sustainable use and development. These studies will serve to promote the protection of coastal lagoons. This will be one of the most important outputs of the second phase. Another output will be consulting and training of interested users on modelling and decision- making. All the information and experience gained during the studies will be utilised in the enrichment of the methodology and approach of the current Pilot Study.

On the whole, the basic outcome will be sharing knowledge, harmonisation of data, correspondence all around the world, and expanding the use of scientific tools for sustainability and development of coastal lagoons world-wide.

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