Quick guide

This website contains the results from a coupled biological - physical estuarine model applied to a representative group of idealised estuaries under a wide range of forcing scenarios. The results have been archived and can be interactively accessed using the SERM Interface. At the SERM Interface four tabs appear at the top of the page.

The first tab, Specification, requires the user to specify ranges for the estuarine parameters which determine the estuary and the natural and human pressures on it. You can choose single or multiple ranges in any combinations of estuarine parameters, and thereby specify a single estuary or a set of up to 5,000 estuaries.

The second tab, Explorer, graphs the results for the estuaries selected on the specification page using a coloured scatter plot. Choose to plot an indicator (which quantifies the response of the estuary) against another indicator or one of the estuarine parameters. Use the "colour by" option to see the dependence on a third indicator or parameter. The "Explorer" is ideal for looking at large combinations of estuarine parameters.

The third tab, Assessment, depicts, for the estuaries selected on the specification page, the indicators that are commonly used in assessments of estuarine conditions. The "Assessment" page is ideal for looking at a single estuary while varying only one or two estuarine parameters.

The fourth tab, Case studies, depicts the results of simulations for five different estuaries against data collected from those estuaries.

While using the SERM Interface, use the hyperlinks to move quickly to the definitions of estuarine parameters, indicators, and result statistics. To interpret the SERM results, we strongly recommend that the reader first proceed to Modelling approach, which explains the models and parameterizations underpinning the results. For details on the model formulation, see Model description.

As detailed in our disclaimer, SERM is a first attempt to develop a broad-brushed, generic model of Australian estuaries. SERM is not intended, and should not be used, to replace detailed local modelling studies in developing and assessing management strategies for individual estuaries.

SERM was developed as part of the Estuarine Health Theme
of the National Land and Water Resources Audit.