The Ecology of Algae
Cambridge University Press, 3/8/1984
EAN 9780521269063, ISBN10: 0521269067
Paperback, 664 pages, 24.6 x 19 x 3.8 cm
Language: English
After an introduction outlining the chemical and physical characteristics of the environment, the book goes on to look at the actual habitats in which algae occur. The communities of the individual habitats such as open water, sediments, rocky shores, coral reefs, hot springs, sea ice, soil, etc., are then discussed with special phenomena highlighted, for example rhythmic activity, nitrogen fixation and buoyancy. There are also chapters on seasonal cycles of algal growth, energy flow, geographical dispersion, palaeo-ecology and contribution to sediments. The importance of algae in symbiotic relationships and their considerable significance to animal grazers in aquatic food chains are also discussed. The final chapter deals with the relationships of algae to eutrophication and pollution of water. This is an important aspect, which can only be understood through an appreciation of algal ecology.
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. The physical and chemical characteristics of the environment
2. Habitats and communities of algae
3. Phytobenthos
epilithon, epipsammon
endolithon, endopsammon, artificial surfaces
4. Coral reefs - the free-living algal flora
5. Phytobenthos
epiphyton, metaphyton, endophyton, epizoon, endozoon
6. Phytoplankton
7. Dispersal, continuity and phytogeography
8. Symbiosis, parastism and grazing
9. Annual succession and growth
10. Energy flow and nutrient cycling
11. ALgal contribution to the sediments
12. Palaeoecology
13. Eutrophication and pollution
Conclusion
Appendix
a synopsis of the classification of the algae mentioned in the book
References
Index.