Background
Perhaps the most difficult aspect facing any approach to understanding estuarine morphology is the lack of any clear cause-effect hierarchies.
The purpose of the cause-consequence model is to map the possible routes from a particular causal action and the resultant changes to the system (primarily in terms of changes in form/morphology). Both actions and induced changes can take place on one or more spatial and temporal scales. For more information read about the cause-consequence model.
This toolbox provides an online facility based on the cause-consequence model to search for appropriate methods. The causes of change have been grouped into three classes; namely the energy throughputs, the sediment imports/exports and the potential management actions within the estuary. For each cause there will be one or more relevant spatial and temporal scales.
Use the menu to the right to move between toolbox stages and make input selections using the drop-down lists presented to you on each page.
The methods described in the toolbox comprise a range of options for analysis or prediction of change in estuarine systems. The methods must be applied within a framework (see chapter on study approach) that leads to a robust conceptual model of the estuary system being studied. At present the user must select the most appropriate method (see chapter on study methods) for their particular application and no one method is prescribed ahead of any other.
