Geological Approaches to Coral Reef Ecology (eBook)

Richard B. Aronson (Herausgeber)

eBook Download: PDF

2007 | 2007
XXII, 444 Seiten
Springer New York (Verlag)
978-0-387-33537-7 (ISBN)

Infos

This book provides a unique perspective on the destruction - both natural and human-caused - of coral reef ecosystems. Reconstructing the ecological history of coral reefs, the authors evaluate whether recent dramatic changes are novel events or part of a long-term trend or cycle. The text combines principles of geophysics, paleontology, and marine sciences with real-time observation, examining the interacting causes of change: hurricane damage, predators, disease, rising sea-level, nutrient loading, global warming and ocean acidification. Predictions about the future of coral reefs inspire strategies for restoration and management of ecosystems. Useful for students and professionals in ecology and marine biology, including environmental managers.

Dr. Richard B. Aronson is Senior Marine Scientist at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, Alabama and Professor of Marine Sciences at the University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA.

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Coral reefs around the world are sustaining massive damage at an alarming rate. Geological Approaches to Coral Reef Ecology provides a uniquely historical perspective on the destruction-through both natural and human processes-of coral reef ecosystems. Chapters applying the principles of geophysics, paleontology, geochemistry, and physical and chemical oceanography supply novel insights into the workings of coral reefs, complementing real-time ecological studies and providing critical information for crafting realistic environmental policy.By reconstructing the ecological history of coral reefs, the authors are able to evaluate whether or not recent, dramatic changes to reef ecosystems are novel events or part of a long-term trend or cycle. The contributions examine the interacting causes of change, which include hurricane damage, regional outbreaks of coral-consuming predators, disease epidemics, sea-level rise, nutrient loading, global warming and acidification of the oceans. Crucial predictions about the future of coral reefs lead to practical strategies for the successful restoration and management of reef ecosystems. Geological Approaches to Coral Reef Ecology will be of particular interest to students and professionals in ecology and marine biology, including environmental managers.About the Editor:Richard B. Aronson is Senior Marine Scientist at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, Alabama and Professor of Marine Sciences at the University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA.

Inhalt

Preface 7
Acknowledgments 14
Contents 16
Contributors 18
Part I. Coral Reefs in Context 22
1. The Changing Fate of Coral Reefs: Lessons from the Deep Past 23
Part II. Detecting Critical Events 48
2. Taphonomy: Detecting Critical Events in Fossil Reef- Coral Assemblages 49
3. Biotic Turnover Events on Coral Reefs: A Probabilistic Approach 79
4. Inferring Past Outbreaks of the Crown-of-Thorns Seastar from Scar Patterns on Coral Heads 103
5. Influence of Terrigenous Runoff on Offshore Coral Reefs: An Example from the Flower Garden Banks, Gulf of Mexico 144
6. Fidelity of Annual Growth in Montastraea faveolata and the Recentness of Coral Bleaching in Florida 179
Part III. Patterns of Reef Development and Their Implications 196
7. Demise, Regeneration, and Survival of Some Western Atlantic Reefs During the Holocene Transgression 197
8. Broad-Scale Patterns in Pleistocene Coral Reef Communities from the Caribbean: Implications for Ecology and Management 217
9. Ecological Shifts along the Florida Reef Tract: The Past as a Key to the Future 253
Part IV. Coral Reefs and Global Change 329
10. Extreme Climatic Events and Coral Reefs: How Much Short- Term Threat from Global Change? 330
11. Responses of Coral Reefs to El Nino-Southern Oscillation Sea- Warming Events 357
12. Constraints on Predicting Coral Reef Response to Climate Change 401
Index 440

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 9.3.2007
• Reihe/Serie: Ecological Studies
• Reihe/Serie: Ecological Studies
• Zusatzinfo: XXII, 444 p.
• Verlagsort: New York
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie ► Ökologie / Naturschutz
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Geowissenschaften ► Geografie / Kartografie
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Geowissenschaften ► Geologie
• Themenwelt: Technik
• Schlagworte: coral • coral reef • Development • Ecology • ecosystem • Ecosystems • Environment • Environmental Management • Geology • global warming • Marine Biology • Oceans • paleobiology • Paleoecology • reefs • taphonomy
• ISBN-10: 0-387-33537-4 / 0387335374
• ISBN-13: 978-0-387-33537-7 / 9780387335377