Coastal-Marine Conservation: Science and Policy

by G. Carleton Ray (University of Virginia); Jerry McCormick-Ray (University of Virginia)

• ISBN13: 9781444311242
• ISBN10: 1444311247
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2009-04-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Coastal-Marine Conservation: Science and Policy introduces students and managers to complex conservation and management issues facing coastal nations of the world, their citizens, and international and non-governmental organizations. It aims to reduce complexity and inspire a greater consensus for more effective conservation action.Presents the coastal realm as a heterogeneous, diverse ecosystem of exceptionall high biological diversity and productivity, and where conservation challenges are most difficult and urgent Examines the critical issues facing coastal-marine conservation and the mechanisms for dealing with them Reviews the basic science required for addressing conservation issues by presenting the coastal realm as a land-sea ecosystem of global significance, and by reviewing the natural-history features of coastal-marine organisms Presents three ecologically and latitudinally distinct "real-world" case studies to create a context for understanding of regional systems, their cultures, and their conservation: the polar Bering Sea, the temperate Chesapeake Bay, and the tropical Bahamas Makes apparent the ecological stresses on the coastal realm, increasing rates of ecosystem change, loss of ecosystem health, and fragmented governance Synthesizes the major challenges for conservation and suggests future policy and management strategies, including ecosystem management and needs for achieving sustainability and addressing the environmental debtThis book is intended for undergraduates and graduates taking courses in coastal and marine conservation and management, as well as those actively engaged in coastal-marine conservation activities, and gives the reader a clear steer to future management approaches.References additional to those in the book are available at http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/pdf/ray_references.pdfThe artwork is available to download at http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/ray/

Table of Contents

Contributors

Preface

Acknowledgements

Issues and Mechanisms:

Conservation Issues:

Introduction

Primary Issues

Secondary Issues

Tertiary Issues

Conclusion

Mechanisms:

Introduction

Species And Habitat Conservation

New Directions

Agents Of Change

Conclusion

Science:

The Coastal Realm Ecosystem:

Introduction

Global Dynamics

Defining Attributes

Physical Components

Biotic Land-Seascapes

Coastal Realm Properties

The Coastal Realm: A Complex Ecosystem

Conclusion

Natural History Of Coastal-Marine Organisms:

Introduction

Diversity Of Coastal-Realm Life

Life In Water

Life-History Diversity

Biological Assembly

Patterns

Biogeography And Environmental Classification

Conclusion

Case Studies:

Introduction

Chesapeake Bay: Estuarine Alteration And Restoration:

Introduction

Characteristic Features Of Chesapeake Bay

Ecosystem Properties Under Biotic Control

Humans: Force And Magnitude Of Change

Assessing Ecosystem Condition

Restoration: The Chesapeake Bay Program

Conclusion

Bering Sea: Marine Mammals In A Regional Sea:

Introduction

Physical Setting

Biotic Relationships

Historical Exploitation Of Beringian Marine Mammals

Steller Sea Lion, Eumetopias Jubatus

Pacific Walrus, Odobenus Rosmarus Divergens

Conclusion

Bahamas: Tropical-Oceanic Island Nation:

Introduction

Process And Pattern

Roots Of Conservation In Social History

Conservation For Sustainability

Conclusion

Analysis and Synthesis:

Coastal-Realm Change:

Introduction

Accounting For Change

The Human-Dominated Coastal Realm

Conclusion

Synthesis:

Introduction

The Rise Of Coastal-Realm Conservation

Challenges For Coastal-Realm Conservation

Strategies For Coastal-Realm Conservation

Conclusion

Citations And Readings

Index

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