Sedimentary habitats cover the vast majority of the ocean floor and constitute the largest ecosystem on Earth. These systems supply fundamental services to human beings, such as food production and nutrient recycling. It is well known that meiofauna are an abundant and ubiquitous component of sediments, even though their biodiversity and importance in marine ecosystem functioning remain to be fully investigated. In this book, the meiofaunal biodiversity trends in marine habitats worldwide are documented, along with the collection of empirical evidence on their role in ecosystem services, such as the production, consumption, and decomposition of organic matter, and energy transfer to higher and lower trophic levels. Meiofaunal activities, like feeding and bioturbation, induce changes in several physico-chemical and biological properties of sediments, and might increase the resilience of the benthic ecosystem processes that are essential for the supply of ecosystem goods and services required by humans. As a key component of marine habitats, the taxonomical and functional aspects of the meiofaunal community are also used for the ecological assessment of the sediments’ quality status, providing important information on the anthropogenic impact of benthos.

Meiofauna are a diverse and numerous component of the fauna in freshwater ecosystems, but have been mostly ignored by freshwater scientists. Freshwater Meiofauna aims to raise the awareness of this enigmatic, microscopic component of the freshwater biota, by providing the first-ever, comprehensive review of their biology and ecology. The first section of the book gives indepth accounts of the systematics, morphological characteristics, life histories and ecological requirements of the main freshwater meiofaunal taxa (i.e. microturbellarians, rotifers, gastrotriches, nematodes, water mites, microcrustaceans and tardigrades). The second section then takes an integrated approach to review the current state-of-play in meiofaunal ecological research in freshwaters, addressing important issues, such as the importance of meiofaunal taxa in the trophic dynamics of freshwater ecosystems and the process underpinning the distribution patterns observed in meiofaunal assemblages. This book should appeal to a wide range of freshwater scientists, including novices in the study of freshwater meiobenthology and established researchers in freshwater ecology, for whom the meiofauna represent an unopened "black box". Our ultimate goal is that this book will serve to promote the idea that the zoology of freshwater habitats concerns more than just fish, macroinvertebrates and microbes.

This is a comprehensive treatise on meiobenthology, the science of small animals which live, often disregarded even by zoologists, in huge numbers in all aquatic sediments. Covering all the scientific literature on the subject, particular emphasis is placed on ecological and systematic aspects. After a survey of the biotope conditions and important methods, the animals are introduced in a systematic account. This is followed by a report on the meiobenthos in relevant biotopes. The book concludes with an analysis of the productive role and the position of meiofauna in the food web and perspectives for future research.

The Ecology of Sandy Shores provides the students and researchers with a one-volume resource for understanding the conservation and management of the sandy shore ecosystem. Covering all beach types, and addressing issues from the behavioral and physiological adaptations of the biota to exploring the effects of pollution and the impact of man's activities, this book should become the standard reference for those interested in Sandy Shore study, management and preservation. - More than 25% expanded from the previous edition - Three entirely new chapters: Energetics and Nutrient Cycling, Turtles and Terrestrial Vertebrates, and Benthic Macrofauna Populations - New sections on the interstitial environment, seagrasses, human impacts and coastal zone management - Examples drawn from virtually all parts of the world, considering all beach types from the most exposed to the most sheltered

Intertidal mudflats are distinct, highly-productive marine habitats which provide important ecosystem services to the land-sea interface. In contrast to other marine habitats, and despite a large body of primary scientific literature, no comprehensive synthesis exists, such that the scattered knowledge base lacks an integrated conceptual framework. We attempt to provide this synthesis by pulling together and contextualizing the different disciplines, tools, and approaches used in the study of intertidal mudflats. The editor pays particular attention to relationships between the various components of the synthesis, both at the conceptual and the operational levels, validating these relationships through close interaction with the various authors.

Ecosystems of the benthic environment are a sensitive index toecological change, and as such demand long-term and effectivemonitoring. Methods for the Study of Marine Benthos providescomprehensive information on the tools and techniques available tothose working in areas where the declining health of the sea,depletion of marine resources and the biodiversity of marine lifeare major concerns. In response to the need for increasingly detailed information onbottom-living communities, this fully revised new editionoffers: Contributions from a broad range of internationally recognisedexperts New information for those compiling environmental impactstatements, pollution assessments and working with eco-systemmanagement Two separate chapters on Imaging Techniques and DivingSystems A vital tool for all marine and environmental scientists,ecologists, fisheries workers and oceanographers, libraries in alluniversities and research establishments where these subjects arestudied and taught will find this book a valuable addition to theirshelves.