Estuaries are critical to the life cycles of fish and other aquatic animals. This book is a comprehensive synthesis of the field of estuarine ecology, incorporating much new research not covered by other books. The authors provide up-to-date information on the structure and function of estuaries, integrating the various components and processes of these key ecosystems. They also present a classification of estuaries based on ecological principles. Estuarine Ecology is suitable as a text, for it presents all relevant background material--and it is complete and well-referenced enough to serve as a standard reference. Specific environmental impacts are addressed and classified. Initial chapters describe the physical and chemical aspects of estuaries, with emphasis on nutrient cycling, and show how these fundamental factors provide a setting for the study of estuarine ecology. Middle chapters address estuarine plants, microbial ecology, estuarine consumers, and fish life-history patterns. Considerable information is provided on rates, patterns, and factors controlling primary production; the role of detritus in coastal systems (a topic that has been important in estuarine ecology for thirty years); and estuarine consumers (zooplankton, benthos, nekton, and wildlife). Of special note is the importance of estuaries in supporting fisheries. Estuarine Ecology also deals with the effects of civilization on estuaries, including commercial fishing, and the side effects of industry and development. The authors examine traditional approaches to fisheries management, then present a modern ecological viewpoint. In the final chapter they present a general classification of the effects of human activities on estuarine ecology and give examples of each. Estuarine Ecology is a thorough introduction to the subject--it presents an accessible synthesis of modern estuarine science for those new to the field and develops sophisticated analysis for the professional.
