There is a need for documentation and an awareness of just how necessa ry, yet delicate, is the interplay of biological and physical forces b etween coastal ocean, land, and the atmosphere. Marine scientists toda y need to make informed management decisions about sustainable develop ment and conservation of these fragile ecosystems. Coastal Ecosystem P rocesses provides present and future marine scientists the latest coas tal ecosystem information to make the right decisions concerning the e cology of our oceans.