A Biological Production Model for Grand Traverse Bay

Abstract

For the past three years researchers supported by The University of Michigan Sea Grant Program have conducted extensive field surveys in both arms of Grand Traverse Bay. These surveys have included observations of several physical, chemical,and biological characteristics of the Bay. A major goal of this field sampling program has been to provide data which can be used to construct mathematical models which specify interactions and mechanisms among the variables. Subsequent to verification, the models are intended to be used to predict certain measures of water quality which result from various pollution control schemes and alternate patterns of land use and zoning. This report describes the utilization of these data for the construction, verification, and application of a dynamic model for plankton and nutrients in the lower west arm of Grand Traverse Bay.