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stable isotope ratios act as naturally-occurring tracers for organic matter, making possible, under certain conditions, the quantification of coastal-offshore exchanges. In general, organic matter has isotope ratios characteristic of its origin (e. g. plants with different modes of photosynthesis and different growth conditions, anthropogenic compounds). These ratios are maintained as the organic matter moves through the biosphere and geosphere. A mixture of organic matter from two sources has isotope ratios intermediate between those of the two sources, in proportion to the fraction of material from each source. Isotope ratios are one of the few methods which can trace organic matter as it moves through natural ecosystems. Ratios can be measured on both the total organic matter and on particular chemical fractions or compounds. When used on organisms, isotope ratios provide information of organic matter actually assimilated into body tissues, not just material ingested. As with all tools, this method has certain limitations which must be borne in mind when interpreting its results. Firstly, specific environmental conditions must be met. This generally means an ecosystem with a limited and known number of sources of organic matter having different isotope ratios. Two sources with different isotope ratios are ideal; additional sources with other isotope ratios complicate interpretation. Secondly, the difference in isotope ratios of the two sources should be large compared with analytical variability. Thirdly, the ratios within each source should vary as little as possible.
Mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs are circumtropical ecosystems that are highly productive, and provide many important biological functions and economic services. These ecosystems cover large surface areas in the shallow tropical coastal seascape but have suffered from serious human degradation, especially in the last few decades. Part of their diversity, productivity, and functioning seems to be based on their juxtaposition. Especially in the last decade significant advances have been made on new insights into their ecological connectivity. This authoritative book provides a first-time comprehensive review of the major ecological interactions across tropical marine ecosystems that result from the mutual exchange of nutrients, organic matter, fish, and crustaceans. A group of leading authors from around the world reviews the patterns and underlying mechanisms of important biogeochemical and biological linkages among tropical coastal ecosystems in 15 chapters. Included are chapters that review cutting-edge tools to study and quantify these linkages, the importance of such linkages for fisheries, and how tropical ecosystems should be conserved and managed for sustainable use by future generations. The book uses examples from all over the world and provides an up-to-date review of the latest published literature. This book is a ‘must read’ for professionals working on the conservation, management, and ecology of mangrove, seagrass and coral reef ecosystems.
stable isotope ratios act as naturally-occurring tracers for organic matter, making possible, under certain conditions, the quantification of coastal-offshore exchanges. In general, organic matter has isotope ratios characteristic of its origin (e. g. plants with different modes of photosynthesis and different growth conditions, anthropogenic compounds). These ratios are maintained as the organic matter moves through the biosphere and geosphere. A mixture of organic matter from two sources has isotope ratios intermediate between those of the two sources, in proportion to the fraction of material from each source. Isotope ratios are one of the few methods which can trace organic matter as it moves through natural ecosystems. Ratios can be measured on both the total organic matter and on particular chemical fractions or compounds. When used on organisms, isotope ratios provide information of organic matter actually assimilated into body tissues, not just material ingested. As with all tools, this method has certain limitations which must be borne in mind when interpreting its results. Firstly, specific environmental conditions must be met. This generally means an ecosystem with a limited and known number of sources of organic matter having different isotope ratios. Two sources with different isotope ratios are ideal; additional sources with other isotope ratios complicate interpretation. Secondly, the difference in isotope ratios of the two sources should be large compared with analytical variability. Thirdly, the ratios within each source should vary as little as possible.
Coastal Ecosystem Processes, written by the renowned marine scientist Daniel Alongi, describes how pelagic and benthic food webs, from beaches and tidal flats to the continental edge, process energy and matter. This volume focuses on recent advances and new developments on how food webs are closely intertwined with the geology, chemistry, and physics of coastal seas. Dr. Alongi presents a process-functional approach as a way of understanding how the energetics of coastal ecosystems rely not only on exchanges within and between food chains, but how such functions are influenced by terrigenous and atmospheric processes. There is a need for documentation and an awareness of just how necessary, yet delicate, is the interplay of biological and physical forces between coastal ocean, land, and the atmosphere. Marine scientists today need to make informed management decisions about sustainable development and conservation of these fragile ecosystems. Coastal Ecosystem Processes provides present and future marine scientists the latest coastal ecosystem information to make the right decisions concerning the ecology of our oceans.
The new edition of this widely respected text providescomprehensive and up-to-date coverage of the effects ofbiological–physical interactions in the oceans from themicroscopic to the global scale. considers the influence of physical forcing on biologicalprocesses in a wide range of marine habitats including coastalestuaries, shelf-break fronts, major ocean gyres, coral reefs,coastal upwelling areas, and the equatorial upwelling system investigates recent significant developments in this rapidlyadvancing field includes new research suggesting that long-term variability inthe global atmospheric circulation affects the circulation of oceanbasins, which in turn brings about major changes in fish stocks.This discovery opens up the exciting possibility of being able topredict major changes in global fish stocks written in an accessible, lucid style, this textbook isessential reading for upper-level undergraduates and graduatestudents studying marine ecology and biological oceanography
A comprehensive account of how abiotic and biotic interactions shape patterns of coastal marine biodiversity and ecosystem processes globally.
This accessible textbook provides an ideal point of entry into the field, providing basic information on the nature of soft-sediment ecosystems, examples of how and why we research them, the new questions these studies inspire, and the applications that ultimately benefit society.
The ocean has absorbed a significant portion of all human-made carbon dioxide emissions. This benefits human society by moderating the rate of climate change, but also causes unprecedented changes to ocean chemistry. Carbon dioxide taken up by the ocean decreases the pH of the water and leads to a suite of chemical changes collectively known as ocean acidification. The long term consequences of ocean acidification are not known, but are expected to result in changes to many ecosystems and the services they provide to society. Ocean Acidification: A National Strategy to Meet the Challenges of a Changing Ocean reviews the current state of knowledge, explores gaps in understanding, and identifies several key findings. Like climate change, ocean acidification is a growing global problem that will intensify with continued CO2 emissions and has the potential to change marine ecosystems and affect benefits to society. The federal government has taken positive initial steps by developing a national ocean acidification program, but more information is needed to fully understand and address the threat that ocean acidification may pose to marine ecosystems and the services they provide. In addition, a global observation network of chemical and biological sensors is needed to monitor changes in ocean conditions attributable to acidification.