Recovering From Bias: A Call for Further Study of Underrepresented Tropical and Low-Nutrient Estuaries

Abstract

Estuaries are some of the most dynamic of Earth's ecosystems and are also some of the most heavily impacted by anthropogenic activities. Coastal nutrient pollution has been identified as one of the greatest threats facing these valuable systems worldwide. As a result, a strong literature bias has developed toward heavily eutrophied estuaries in the Northern Hemisphere, with relatively little data available from tropical and low-nutrient systems. Here we discuss the implications of this bias and argue for a need for further work in a larger variety of systems. Further understanding of these underrepresented systems is vital to future estuarine management.