Marine macrophytes as foundation species

Book

Marine macrophytes as foundation species / editor, Emil Ólafsson.

Summary:

Marine macrophytes (macroalgae, seagrasses, and mangroves) comprise thousands of species distributed in shallow water areas along the worlds coastlines. They play a key role in marine ecosystems regarding biodiversity and energy flow. A large proportion of macrophyte species can be characterised as ecosystem engineersorganisms that directly or indirectly affect the availability of resources to other species by modifying, maintaining, and creating habitats. This book is divided into three main themes: Marine macroalgae and seagrasses as sources of biodiversity gives an overview of the diversity of the main organisms associated with macrophytes, and their functional role and interactions within their hosts. Primary and secondary production of Macrophytes synthesizes research on food web structures derived from/or associated with, macrophytes and the transfer of macrophytic primary and secondary production from one ecosystem to another. Threats to macrophytic ecosystem engineers addresses human-induced effects including eutrophication, physical destruction, invasive species, and global warming. The book is among the first one to concentrate on the value of macrophytes for the well-being of marine habitats. The book is aimed at academics but may be useful for students, policy makers, and laymen alike.

Record details

ISBN: 9781498723244
ISBN: 1498723241
Physical Description: viii, 277 pages : illustrations (some color), maps (some color) ; 24 cm
Publisher: Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, [2017]

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Formatted Contents Note:: I. Macroalgae and Seagrasses as a Source of Biodiversity -- 1. Microbial Biodiversity Associated with Marine Macroalgae and Seagrasses / Johannes F. Imhoff -- 2. The Role of Chemically Defended Seaweeds as Biodiversity Sources / Daniela Bueno Sudani -- 3. Epibiont-Marine Macrophyte Assemblages / Mads S. Thomsen -- 4. The Role of Floating Plants in Dispersal of Biota Across Habitats and Ecosystems / Ceridwen Fraser -- 5. The Role of Drifting Algae for Marine Biodiversity / Erik Bonsdorff -- II. Production of Macrophytes -- 6. Macrophyte Productivity and the Provisioning of Energy and Habitat to Nearshore Systems / Scott L. Hamilton -- 7. Secondary Production / Kjell Magnus Norderhaug -- III. Human Threats to Macrophytic Foundation Species -- 8. Eutrophication and the Challenge of Changing Biotic Interactions / Veijo Jormalainen -- 9. Threats to Ecosystem Engineering Macrophytes: Climate Change / Margaret B. Mohring -- 10. Ecological Interactions between Marine Plants and Alien Species / David Schiel -- 11. Physical Threats to Macrophytes as Ecosystem Engineers / A. Bellgrove.