Ecological Processes at Marine Fronts Oases in the ocean [Paperback]

This book reviews and summarizes the results and hypotheses raised by studies directly or indirectly dealing with the ecology of fronts and aims to identify the themes that connect them to produce a synthesis of this knowledge.Though not immediately perceived the ocean is highly structured and fronts are one of the most important components of its structural complexity.Marine fronts have been known since the early 20th Century, however, the more recent availability of high resolution satellite imagery, field measurements and numerical simulations have greatly advanced our understanding of their ecological impact.This work touches on topics such as front types, its biology and its comparisons with other bounderies at sea, as well as comparisons of fronts with terrestrial boundaries and the ecotone concept. Furthermore, it also looks at the management and conservation of marine life.

1. Introduction.- 2. Frontal types.- 3. Biology of fronts.- 4. Management and conservation of marine life.- 5. Comparisons of fronts with other boundaries at sea.- 6. Comparisons of fronts with terrestrial boundaries and the ecotone concept.- 7. Final remarks.- 8. Conclusions.

E. Marcelo Acha is a biologist; his research interests focus primarily on plankton ecology, fish reproduction and ichthyoplankton. His current research activities are related to the role of marine fronts on diversity and biological production of the Argentine Sea, and its effects on the life histories of the species in the region. He is currently member of the National Council of Scientific of Scientific Research and Technology (CONICET); member of the Fisheries Ecology Project (INIDEP), and develops teaching activities at the Mar del Plata University (Argentina). Alberto R. Piola is a physical oceanographer; was Visiting Investigator at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Research Staff at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University. He is currently Research Director at SelS.