Abbreviation CERF President Robert R. Twilley | Formation 1971 | |
The Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) is a private, nonprofit organization that was created in 1971. At that time, the members of two regionally based organizations, the Atlantic Estuarine Research Society (AERS) and the New England Estuarine Research Society (NEERS) recognized the need for a third estuarine organization that would address national (now worldwide) estuarine and coastal issues. Today, CERF is a multidisciplinary federation of members and seven regionally based affiliate societies dedicated to studying and managing the structure and functions of estuaries and the effects of human activities on these fragile environments.
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Mission
CERF advances understanding and wise stewardship of estuarine and coastal ecosystems worldwide. Its mission is to:
Membership in CERF is open to all who support these goals. The Federation currently has approximately 1,650 members, and approximately 1,000 more who are members of the Affiliate Societies.
CERF addresses the purposes listed above by convening conferences in odd-numbered years (see Meetings), through the more frequent meetings of its Affiliate Societies in their regions and through regular publication of the scholarly journal Estuaries and Coasts and the Newsletter. In addition, the Federation serves as a source of advice on estuarine and coastal matters by responding to requests for information from legislative and management organizations.
History
In the mid 1960s estuarine scientists around the globe were beginning to recognize that wide dissemination of information concerning estuarine water circulation patterns, rates of exchange of materials within coastal and marine waters and the ecology of estuarine organisms was essential to the realistic management of estuaries in the future. This wide recognition of the intertwined interest between knowledge of estuarine systems and eutrophication characterizes the task oriented nature of the study of estuaries.
In the Fall of 1969, a special committee was assembled to explore the formation of a new society not dedicated to any particular geographic region in order to accommodate a larger domestic and international membership. The new group known as the Estuarine Research Federation (ERF) was created.
In an effort to identify the true scope of ERF interests to ALL people who may be interested in participating in the Federation's activities, ERF members voted by mail, in the summer of 2007, to approve a name change to Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF).
Meetings
CERF (formerly ERF) has hosted 22 international conferences during the 46 years since the Federation's inception:
Leadership
CERF has endured and evolved during its short history under the leadership of the individuals listed below. Those who have led the society are important members of the estuarine and coastal science communities. The list provide below includes the name of each president and the most significant scientific contribution made by each individual prior to their Presidencies.
Publications
CERF publishes the journal Estuaries and Coasts. Prior to 2006 Estuaries and Coasts was known as Estuaries. Prior to the formation of CERF, the journal Estuaries was known as Chesapeake Science (1960–1978).
- Orth RJ, Heck KL, Vanimontfrans J. 1984. "Faunal communities in seagrass beds – A review of the influence of plant structure and prey characteristic on predator prey relationships." 7: 339-350 Times Cited: 487
- Valiela I, Foreman K, Lamontagne M, Hersh D, Costa J, Peckol P, Demeoandreson B, Davanzo C, Babione M, Sham CH, Brawley J, Lajtha K. 1992. "Couplings of watersheds and coastal waters – Sources and consequences of nutrient enrichment in Waquoit Bay, Massachusetts." 15: 443-457 Times Cited: 231
- Boesch DF, Turner RE. 1984. "Dependence of fishery species on salt marshes – The role of food and refuge." 7:460-468. Times Cited: 188
- Rabalais NN, Wiseman WJ, Turner RE, SenGupta BK, Dortch Q. 1996. "Nutrient changes in the Mississippi River and system responses on the adjacent continental shelf." 19: 386-407 Times Cited: 183
- Boynton WR, Garber JH, Summers R, Kemp WM. 1995. "Inputs, transformations and transport of nitrogen and phosphorus in Chesapeake Bay and selected tributaries." 18: 285-314 Times Cited: 163