This paper synthesizes key issues identified and explored by a mix of practitioners, researchers, and resource managers who participated in a workshop designed to understand community-based ecosystem management. The interdependence between healthy ecosystems and community well-being lies at the heart of community-based ecosystem management.

In recent decades, following the cleanup in the 1960s, the Thames Estuary has become a major nursery ground for economic and conservation species, and has seen the development of substantial commercial and recreational fisheries. The Environment Agency has both sea fisheries and freshwater fisheries statutory powers in the estuary. A unique and focussed survey programme has been developed to inform management policies. A Fisheries Management Action Plan has been developed to promote integrated salmonid, eel Anguilla anguilla and sea fisheries management, promote nurseries, sustainable exploitation and habitat protection and enhancement. Data are used to influence water quality, water resources and flood defence management regimes and in the planning field to influence development proposals. Consensus and collaboration have been built through the Thames Estuary Partnership. Research aims identified through the Thames Estuary Research Forum are described together with future pressures on key species. The survey rationales being developed will contribute to new standard sampling strategies and classification scheme to meet the requirements of the E.U. Water Framework Directive.

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Over the past decade, 18 of the 20 northeastern states have undertaken statewide forest resource planning programs. These programs were intended to address the use and management of forest resources on nonfederal lands. Despite significant federal and state investments in such programs, little is known about their effectiveness. These first-generation planning programs were generally perceived to have been well conceived and to have provided many benefits to state forestry organizations and forestry communities at large. The greatest benefits to states in the Northeast were increased communication and coordination among forestry organizations, and a clearer sense of long-term direction. The study concludes that statewise forest resource planning can build greater support and be more effective by increasing program awareness and demonstrating planning's value to a wider range of constituents. North. J. Appl. For. 6:6-9, March 1989.