Marine macrophytes (macroalgae, seagrasses, and mangroves) comprise thousands of species distributed in shallow water areas along the world’s 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 engineers—organisms 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.
Section 1: Marine Macroalgae and Seagrasses as Sources of Biodiversity
The role of chemically defended seaweeds as biodiversity source; Renato C. Pereira, Bernardo A. Perez da Gama
Microbial assemblages associated with macrophytes; Franz Goecke, Johannes F. Imhoff
Epibiont associated with Marine Macrophyte Assemblages; Carol S. Thornber, Emily Jones, Mads S. Thomsen
Free-living invertebrate assemblages associated with macrophytes; Emil Ólafsson, Hilmar Hinz
The role of floating plants in dispersal of biota across habitats and ecosystems; Martin Thiel, Ceridwen Fraser
The role of drift plants; Lara Arroyo, Erik Bonsdorff
Section 2: Production of Macrophytes
Primary production; Ken Dunton, Michael H. Graham
Secondary production; Hartvig Chistie, Kjell M. Norderhaug
Section 3: Human Threats to Macrophytic Ecosystem Engineers
Eutrophication and the challenge of changing biotic interactions; Eva Rothäusler, Veijo Jormalainen
Physical threats to macrophytes as ecosystem engineers; Diana I. Walker, A Bellgrove
Ecological interactions between marine plant and alien species; Mads S. Thomsen, Thomas Wernberg, Peter A. Staehr, David Schiel
Effects of climate change on macrophytes; Thomas Wernberg, Francisco Arenas, Celia Olabarria, Mads S. Thomsen, Margaret B. Mohring
Biography
Emil Olafsson
This excellent new volume is devoted to the ecology, biodiversity, and energy production and flow of macroalgae and seagrasses living along the coastlines of oceans and the most recent environmental threats to their communities. Chapters are written by experts in the field and packed with detailed information and primary sources, together forming a synopsis of the role of these critical producers…. The editor has nicely tied the chapters together, and the volume…is impressive in its coverage.
--C. W. Schneider, Trinity College (CT)
