Ecological Connectivity among Tropical Coastal Ecosystems, 2010

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.

Provides a first time, up-to-date review in the field of ecological interactions among tropical coastal ecosystems, in which many advancements have been made recently

Patterns as well as underlying mechanisms are discussed in detail

Interesting to a wide audience because it includes information on fish as well as decapods, multiple coastal ecosystems, freshwater/estuarine/marine habitats, studies from around the world, and sections on ecology, biogeochemistry, modern techniques and management

Information on ecosystem functions, management, and modern techniques to establish ecological connectivity are of high value for ecosystem managers and conservation biologists