Population Dynamics of the Reef Crisis, Volume 87 in the Advances in Marine Biology series, updates on many topics that will appeal to postgraduates and researchers in marine biology, fisheries science, ecology, zoology and biological oceanography. Chapters in this new release cover SCTL disease and coral population dynamics in S-Florida, Spatial dynamics of juvenile corals in the Persian/Arabian Gulf, Surprising stability in sea urchin populations following shifts to algal dominance on heavily bleached reefs, Biophysical model of population connectivity in the Persian Gulf, Population dynamics of 20-year decline in clownfish anemones on coral reefs at Eilat, northern Red Sea, and much more. - Reviews articles on the latest advances in marine biology - Authored by leading figures in their respective fields of study - Presents materials that are widely used by managers, students and academic professionals in the marine sciences
Understanding the dynamics of open marine populations is difficult. Ecological processes may vary with the spatial structure of the habitat, and this variation may subsequently affect demographic rates. In a series of observational and experimental studies in the Bahamas, I examined the roles of emigration, mortality, and predation in the local population dynamics of juvenile coral-reef fishes. First, I documented mortality and emigration rates in populations of bluehead and yellowhead wrasse. Assuming that all losses were due solely to mortality would have significantly underestimated survivorship for both species on patch reefs, and for yellowheads on continuous reefs. Mortality differed between species, but emigration did not differ between species or reef types. Mortality of blueheads was density-dependent with respect to both conspecific density and total wrasse density on continuous reefs. In contrast, mortality of yellowheads varied inversely with the density of blueheads on patch reefs. Emigration rates varied inversely with distance to the nearest reef inhabited by conspecifics. In subsequent experiments, I manipulated densities of yellowhead wrasse and beaugregory damselfish, and determined that the relationship between density and mortality varied with reef spatial structure. On natural reefs, mortality rates of the wrasse were highly variable among reefs. On artificial reefs, mortality rates of both species were density-dependent on spatially isolated reefs, yet high and density-independent on aggregated reefs. Heterogeneity in the spatial structure of natural reefs likely caused variation in predation risk that resulted in high variability in mortality rates compared to artificial reefs. A final experiment demonstrated that a single resident predator caused substantial mortality of the damselfish, regardless of reef spacing. Patterns suggested that resident predators caused density-dependent mortality in their prey through a type 3 functional response on all reefs, but on aggregated reefs this density dependence was overwhelmed by high, density-independent mortality caused by transient predators. These results (1) suggest post-settlement movement should be better documented in reef-fish experiments, (2) demonstrate that the role of early post-settlement processes, such as predation, can be modified by the spatial structure of the habitat, and (3) have ramifications for the implementation of marine reserves.
Global Knowledge on the Commercial Sea Cucumber Holothuria Scabra, Volume 91 in the Advances in Marine Biology serial, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters written by an international board of authors. - Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors - Presents the latest release in Advances in Marine Biology series - Updated release includes the latest information surrounding Global Knowledge On The Commercial Sea Cucumber Holothuria Scabra
Advances in Marine Biology, Volume 94, the latest release in this series that highlights new advances in the field, presents interesting content written by an international board of authors. Chapters in this new release include The Falkland Islands marine ecosystem: a review of the seasonal dynamics and trophic interactions across the food web, An impact of non-native species invasions on the Caspian Sea biota, A global synthesis of microplastic contamination in wild fish species: challenges for conservation, implications for sustainability of wild fish stocks and future directions, and Addressing Underwater Noise: Joint Efforts and Progress on Its Global Governance. Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors Presents the latest release in the Advances in Marine Biology series
Advances in Marine Biology, Volume 93, the latest release in this comprehensive serial, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters written by an international board of authors. - Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors - Presents the latest release in Advances in Marine Biology series
Special Volume on Kogia biology presents in-depth and up-to-date reviews on all aspects of marine biology. Published since 1963, this serial updates on a variety of topics that will appeal to postgraduates and researchers in marine biology, fisheries science, ecology, zoology and biological oceanography. Reviews articles on the latest advances in marine biology Authored by leading figures in their respective fields of study Presents material that is widely used by managers, students and academic professionals in the marine sciences
Examination of corals and reef-associated organisms which endure in extreme coral reef environments is challenging our understanding of the conditions that organisms can survive under. By studying individuals naturally adapted to unfavorable conditions, we begin to better understand the important traits required to survive rapid environmental and climate change. This Research Topic, comprising reviews, and original research articles, demonstrates the current state of knowledge regarding the diversity of extreme coral habitats, the species that have been studied, and the knowledge to-date on the mechanisms, traits and trade-offs that have facilitated survival.
This detailed account of the ongoing destruction of coral reef communities crystallizes one of sciences most profound questions--is there a balance of nature? 13 illustrations.
