Management of the ecosystems of the Black Sea : alternative strategies for the control of water and nutrient inputs

Graduation date: 1996The objective of this thesis is to show that by separating the two major\ud anthropogenic changes caused in riverine input to the north shore of the Black Sea,\ud it is possible to describe distinct linkages between ongoing ecological changes in the\ud Black Sea, and 1) flow reduction, and 2) nutrient load increase. An attempt is\ud made to quantify the pertinent changes in the inputs of water, salt, and nutrients\ud by modelling individual fluxes over time. The results of these computations are used\ud to argue how the ecology of the Black Sea may be realistically partially restored to\ud something like its former productivity.\ud The origins of input changes to this system are evaluated in terms of their\ud sources. The economic and social costs that will be involved in altering the quality\ud and quantity of those inputs to allow recovery of the Black Sea are examined along\ud with the benefits that may accrue through the restoration of water quality, fisheries\ud and tourism. Mechanisms that may be relevant in the process of achieving the\ud alteration of the inputs are discussed