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A thorough understanding of planktonic organisms is the first step towards a real appreciation of the diversity, biology, and ecological importance of marine life. A detailed knowledge of their distribution and community composition is particularly important since these organisms are often very delicate and sensitive to change, and can be used as early indicators of environmental change. Natural and man-induced modification of the environment can affect both the distribution and composition of plankton, with important ecological and economic impacts. Marine Plankton provides a practical guide to plankton biology with a large geographic coverage spanning the North Sea to the north-eastern Atl...
The present book is designed for acquiring a basic knowledge on marine and estuarine phytoplankton and zooplankton, which are tiny free-floating biotic components of the aquatic ecosystem. These drifting biological chips of the aquatic system play an important role in maintaining the global carbon cycle and also in spinning the marine food web. It is well known that phytoplankton are the source of fossil fuels, and form the foundation stone of world fishery. However, phytoplankton sometimes causes adverse impact on the marine and estuarine environments. Toxic phytoplankton, when consumed by shellfish or other species often affect the marine food chain including poisoning of sea birds, mammal...
Plankton are microscopic organisms living in large bodies of water. They are a major food source for several kinds of sea creatures, and although they are tiny, they have a major impact on many other living things. Accessible explanations of marine life, food chains, and other essential science curriculum topics enhance readers' knowledge of the natural world and the part every living thing plays in it. Additional features, such as fact boxes and full-color photographs deepen readers' understanding of these tiny yet hugely important creatures.
Plankton is an invaluable reference for environment managers, water authority ecologists, estuary and catchment management committees, coastal engineers, and students of invertebrate biology, environmental impact assessment and marine biology. This practical book provides a comprehensive introduction to the biology and ecology of plankton and describes its use as a tool for monitoring water quality. All the major freshwater and coastal phytoplankton and zooplankton groups are covered and their associated environmental issues are discussed. A chapter on best practice in sampling and monitoring explains how to design, implement and conduct meaningful phytoplankton and zooplankton monitoring programs in marine and freshwater habitats, as well as how to analyse and interpret the results for effective management decision-making. Real-life case studies demonstrate the use of plankton for identifying and monitoring water quality issues.
A richly illustrated guide to the marvelously diverse plankton of the world and their fundamental role in planetary food webs Plankton are the unsung heroes of planet Earth. Passive drifters through the world’s seas, oceans, and freshwater environments, most are invisible or very small, but some are longer than a whale. They are the global ocean’s foundation food, supporting almost all oceanic life, and they are also vitally important for land-based plants, animals, and other organisms. Plankton provides an incomparable look at these remarkable creatures, opening a window on the elegance and grace of microscopic marine life. This engaging book reveals the amazing diversity of plankton, h...
There are some beaches that glow in the dark! Glowing waves are caused by plankton floating in the water, and these tiny animals can have a very bright light. Readers learn fun facts about these microscopic animals, including what they eat, what eats them, and what makes them glow. Fact boxes provide additional information about these creatures and their habitats. Vibrant photographs show individual plankton up close, as well as the groups of plankton that make water appear to sparkle.
Introduces readers to the roles of plankton in aquatic ecosystems as well as threats to plankton populations and conservation efforts. Eye-catching infographics, clear text, and a “That’s Amazing!” feature make this book an engaging exploration of the importance of plankton.
Each glance into a marine plankton sample is a look into a fantastic world for anyone who wants to study protists and invertebrate animals. Nowhere is it possible to observe with a simple device such a variety of forms and taxa, developmental stages and adaptations as in a Petri dish with a small plankton sample placed under a light microscope. This book, with more than 600 micro- and 40 macrophotographs on 60 colour plates, is an introduction to the most important and most common taxa present in the plankton, and it allows the identification even of numerous common species. 117 micrographs demonstrate characteristic forms of the phytoplankton, 70 of protozoans, more than 300 show larvae and...