Synthesis for Management

Among the first and most densely settled of estuaries in the United States, Long Island Sound presents a trajectory of change common to many estuarine and coastal ecosystems. The challenges to managing this ecosystem for the future also are mirrored in other coastal systems. Improving management of Long Island Sound requires synthesis and integration of the underlying science. The implications of such insights to the ecosystem, including changes that may be driven by broader climate patterns, must be incorporated into regulatory and management approaches. To demonstrate the utility of this analysis, key advancements in the science of the Long Island Sound ecosystem are summarized. To support integration with management, we present essential elements of the Clean Water Act, providing specific examples of current program policies in synchrony or in conflict with the principles of ecosystem-based management. We then recommend a general framework and specific actions to support ongoing management of Long Island Sound.