Book excerpt: This book is organized into five parts reflecting major topics in estuarine synthesis: prediction of inputs from drainage basins; coupling of physical and ecological factors; links between biogeochemistry and food webs; controls of estuarine habitats; and the role of synthesis in addressing issues of management. Each part contains an introduction; plenary talks illustrating case histories of successful syntheses; and a workshop report report presenting an overview of the topic, goals for further synthesis, and recommendations about the data, knowledge, and models necessary to attain these goals.