Estuarine Nutrient Cycling: The Influence of Primary Producers: The Fate of Nutrients and Biomass (Aquatic Ecology Series, 2)

It is a well-known fact that eutrophication of coastal waters causes significant changes in the species composition of the primary producers. Usually a shift from an ecosystem dominated by sea grasses or large brown algae to an ecosystem dominated by fast-growing green algae or phytoplankton is observed. While this shift has been documented in a number of research papers and books, the consequences of this shift are less well known. This book focuses on the consequences of such changes for nutrient cycling. The aim is to investigate how different types of primary producers influence nutrient cycling in coastal marine waters, and how nutrient cycling changes qualitatively and quantitatively as a consequence of the changes in the primary producer community caused by eutrophication. The various chapters address specific ecological processes such as grazing, decomposition, burial and export of biomass from the ecosystem. The book is intended for researchers and professionals working in the field of coastal marine ecology and estuarine ecology and for advanced students in this field. Front Matter....Pages i-xvii Interactions Between Vegetation And Nutrient Dynamics In Coastal Marine Ecosystems: An Introduction....Pages 1-15 Estuarine Primary Producers....Pages 17-57 Effects Of Nutrient Loading On Shallow Seagrass-Dominated Coastal Systems: Patterns And Processes....Pages 59-92 Plant Bound Nutrient Transport. Mass Transport In Estuaries And Lagoons....Pages 93-128 Grazing On Pelagic Primary Producers – The Role Of Benthic Suspension Feeders In Estuaries....Pages 129-152 Grazing On Benthic Primary Producers....Pages 153-185 Decomposition Of Marine Primary Producers: Consequences For Nutrient Recycling And Retention In Coastal Ecosystems....Pages 187-216 Burial Of Nutrient In Coastal Sediments: The Role Of Primary Producers....Pages 217-230 The Importance Of Primary Producers For Benthic Nitrogen And Phosphorus Cycling....Pages 231-261 Denitrification....Pages 263-280 Attempting A Synthesis – Plant/Nutrient Interactions....Pages 281-292 Back Matter....Pages 293-303 The intent of this chapter is to provide a brief background for the ideas and hypotheses that led to the making of this book.