computer servers linked via the Internet. There they will be available to a wide variety of users, including assessment analysts, modelers, researchers, decision makers, students, and general public. Moreover, much of the data and information will eventually be assessable in an interactive mode in which analysis applications will be supported by the servers. This is nothing short of a revolution and like all revolutions there are many problems (such as quality control) posed in transition, but the ultimate effect will to the empowerment of a larger set of creative people.
5. CONCLUSIONS
The challenges faced in the Chesapeake Bay region in moving monitoring forward as a more effective tool in environmental assessment are not unique, but are being or will be confronted at different scales and levels of complexity in other ocean management programs. Improved integration of monitoring, modeling and research; applications of new technologies which produce results at the appropriate space and time scales and add efficiencies; and the empowering use of distributed information networks will be the key ingredients to advancing the effectiveness of environmental monitoring.
6. REFERENCES
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Harding, L.S., Jr., E.C. ltsweire and W.E. Esaias. 1994. Estimates of phytoplankton biomass in the Chesapeake Bay from aircraft remote sensing of chlorophyll concentrations, 1989-92. Remote Sensing of the Environment 49: 41-56.
National Research Council. 1990. Managing Troubled Waters: The Role of Marine Environmental Monitoring. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.
National Science and Technology Council. 1996. Integrating the Nation's Environmental Monitoring and Research Networks and Programs. Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, National Science and Technology Council, Washington, D.C. 105 p.
Thomann, R.V., J.R. Collier, A. Butt, E. Casman, and L.C. Linker. 1994. Response of the Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Model to Loading Scenarios. Chesapeake Bay Program, Annapolis, Maryland, USA.
