Seaweed Biology: Novel Insights into Ecophysiology, Ecology and Utilization [Hardcover]

Seaweeds, also known as macroalgae, are among the most important primary producers and act as ecological engineers on rocky coasts of the worlds oceans. In addition to their extreme ecological importance they are also of high economic relevance. Complementing available textbooks with its more research-oriented approach, this volume contains 22 chapters by renowned experts, grouped in five parts. In Part I fundamental processes and acclimation strategies of seaweeds towards the abiotic environment are covered. Part II focuses on the multitude of biotic interactions in seaweed communities, and in Part III the reader is introduced to the structure and function of the main seaweed systems of the world. The chapters of Part IV highlight and discuss the effects of global and local environmental changes on seaweeds and their communities. In the final Part V a comprehensive overview of developments in seaweed aquaculture, industrial applications and the overall economic importance of seaweeds is provided. Summarizing the advances in seaweed biology achieved within the last few decades, this book also identifies gaps in the present knowledge and needs for future research.

Physiological and photomorphogenic effects of light on marine macrophytes.- Morpho-functionality of carbon metabolism in seaweeds.- Seaweed responses to temperature.-Environment and algal nutrition.- Seaweed acclimation to salinity and desiccation stress.- Seaweed responses to environmental stress: reactive oxygen and antioxidative strategies.- Competition, a major factor structuring seaweed communities.- Grazers on benthic seaweeds.- Chemical ecology of seaweeds.- Prokaryotic microbial communities on macroalgae.- Intimate associations between epiphytes, endophytes and parasites of seaweeds.- Invasive marine seaweeds: Pest or prize?- Seaweeds and their communities in polar regions.- Cold temperate seaweed communities of the southern Hemisphere.- Warm temperate seaweed communitieslÓ