A major goal of this report is to provide an integrated presentation of Columbia River Estuary community dynamics in relation to physical processes. This chapter presents the conceptual model used in carrying out physical-biological integration. Problems in integrating CREDDP data and considerations in model selection are described (Section 6.1). The modeling approach (Section 6.2) and details of the model itself (Section 6.3) are then presented. The model is discussed according to major biological processes: Primary Food Processes (Primary Production and Detrital Decomposition) and Consumption (Deposit Feeding, Suspension Feeding, Wetland Herbivory, and Predation).
Organization