Centuries of human-driven change in salt marsh ecosystems.

Salt marshes are among the most abundant, fertile, and accessible coastal habitats on earth, and they provide more ecosystem services to coastal populations than any other environment. Since the Middle Ages, humans have manipulated salt marshes at a grand scale, altering species composition, distribution, and ecosystem function. Here, we review historic and contemporary human activities in marsh ecosystems--exploitation of plant products; conversion to farmland, salt works, and urban land; introduction of non-native species; alteration of coastal hydrology; and metal and nutrient pollution. Unexpectedly, diverse types of impacts can have a similar consequence, turning salt marsh food webs upside down, dramatically increasing top down control. Of the various impacts, invasive species, runaway consumer effects, and sea level rise represent the greatest threats to salt marsh ecosystems. We conclude that the best way to protect salt marshes and the services they provide is through the integrated approach of ecosystem-based management.

A multi-locus assessment of connectivity and historical demography in the bluehead wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum).

The pelagic larval stage of most coral reef fishes might allow extensive dispersal or, alternatively, some level of local recruitment might be important. Molecular markers can be used to obtain indirect estimates of dispersal to evaluate these alternatives, yet the extent of gene flow among populations is known for only a small number of species. The use of such markers must take into account the properties of the markers and the demographic history of the population when making inferences about current gene flow. In the Caribbean bluehead wrasse, Thalassoma bifasciatum, previous studies have found both substantial levels of local recruitment, in studies interpreting otolith microchemistry and, conversely, a lack of genetic differentiation inferred from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction-fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) data and allozymes. However, if subtle differentiation exists, larger sample sizes and highly variable markers may be required to discern it. Here we present results from mitochondrial control region sequence and microsatellite data that indicate a lack of genetic differentiation at both small and large spatial scales. However, historical processes, such as changes in population size, may have affected the current distribution of genetic variation.

Perceived premarital counseling outcomes among recently married army personnel.

Data from 1,285 recently married soldiers who participated in the 1989 Army Family Research Program survey indicated that premarital counseling by itself had little effect on subsequent marital satisfaction. However, those who had premarital counseling were more likely to use marital and family therapy services, at both subclinical and clinical levels of distress, than others who had not had such counseling before marriage.

Improving practice in marriage preparation.

Developments over the past 2 decades concerning research on marriage preparation programs are reviewed. Suggestions for designing effective programs are presented. Issues reviewed include assessing client needs, the timing and duration of programs, formats and methods, program content, provider characteristics, and promotion and marketing strategies.

Premarital counseling and marital satisfaction among civilian wives of military service members.

Wives' marital satisfaction was evaluated as a function of a premarital counseling typology in an analysis of data from several thousand military couples surveyed in 1992. Among couples who jointly reported participation in premarital counseling, results indicated that both having premarital counseling and reporting higher satisfaction with the counseling experience were associated with higher levels of marital satisfaction. Among couples who disagreed about having had premarital counseling, results were still favorable but less consistent. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Changes in premarital counseling as related to older cohorts of married couples.

Within a sample of 256 current and former members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), it was found that the longer the time since husbands or wives had married, the less likely they were to report that premarital counseling had been available and voluntary, that it involved more hours of training, and that they had participated in it. However, the reported effectiveness of their premarital counseling experience was not significantly related to years since marriage. It is possible that even though the quality of premarital counseling may have improved over time, the challenges and complexity of marriage may have changed at a similar rate, resulting in no net change in the perceived effectiveness of such interventions.

Client interests in premarital counseling: a further analysis.

A survey was conducted of over 150 college students concerning their attitudes toward premarital preparation. In general, the students valued brief, high-quality, low-cost, voluntary programs led by well-trained clergy or mental health professionals. However, females, students with more supportive family backgrounds, and religious students were more willing to participate in longer-than-average programs. Students with more supportive family backgrounds were also willing to pay more for such programs and to participate earlier in their relationship's development and were more willing to accept mandatory programs. Religious students were more interested in those led by clergy and less interested in those led by mental health or social workers. Female students were more interested in in-depth programs that focus on awareness and skill-building.