Incze

We describe an approach for analyzing ecosystem services provided by coastal banks and ledges in the southwestern Gulf of Maine ranging in size from 8 to 75 km in length. These are areas of high seasonal standing stock and production, and thus focal areas for many ecosystem services. These services are supported by advective and migratory inputs, and they export materials and services through the same means (for example, in the form of propagules from reproduction and increased biomass from feeding). Our goal is to model external and internal (local) processes and responses at a level useful to ecosystem-based approaches to management. We describe the data needs and approaches required to meet this goal.