The Biology of Rocky Shores

by Little, Colin; Williams, Gray A.; Trowbridge, Cynthia D.

• ISBN13: 9780198564911
• ISBN10: 0198564910
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-04-28
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

This new edition offers a concise but comprehensive introduction to rocky shore ecology and has been completely revised and updated throughout. It describes the diverse biota (invertebrates, vertebrates, seaweeds, seagrasses and microalgae) that inhabit rocky shores, and the factors that determine their distributions, abundances and interactions. The book discusses the latest research on processes that control community structure, utilizing a global range of examples from a wide range of shore types - both temperate and tropical. The Biology of Rocky Shores begins by describing the shore environment, including the conditions caused by tidal rise and fall as well as an introduction to the effects of waves. It goes on to describe the biodiversity of the rocky shore environment, from seaweeds and cyanobacteria to starfish and oystercatchers, and some of the adaptations these organisms exhibit on the shore. The book discusses in turn the biology of primary producers, grazers, suspension feeders and predators, and the ways in which these trophic groups interact in various communities. The vertical and horizontal distributions of species in relation to the tidal cycle and wave exposure are also considered. The contributions that species make in determining how rocky-shore communities function, and how they interact with off-shore systems, are explored in detail. Human influences, notably pollution, over-fishing and the introduction of alien species, are discussed in the context of rocky shore conservation and future management strategies. A final chapter offers guidance on methods of study, techniques, and experimental approaches. New to this Edition: This second edition adds several dimensions to the first, by incorporating the expertise of two new authors, one based in Hong Kong, the other in USA. Since the original edition in 1996, views of how rocky shore communities are regulated have changed, and the book discusses these changes. It is no longer limited to the north-west Atlantic, but covers rocky shores worldwide. It discusses the diversity of shore organisms in terms of functional groups, and it now gives a detailed account of how organisms have adapted to the physical constraints of living on rocky shores. It provides advice on methods and experimental approaches. Black and white photographs and many new line drawings have been added to the original figures. This new edition also feature 80% new text and 50% new illustrations.

Author Biography

Colin Little studied zoology at Cambridge University, and stayed on to do a Ph.D. on snail physiology. Then he migrated to Miami, USA, where he worked at the Institute of Marine Science, University of Miami, and first encountered the (at the time little-known) phylum Pogonophora. This provided his conversion to marine biology, and he returned to the University of Bristol, England and began to study the biology of the Severn Estuary as well as the brackish-water ecology of coastal lagoons. Running marine field courses and teaching estuarine and marine biology became major interests. He started to do research at Lough Hyne, Ireland, about 30 years ago, and there he began to concentrate on the biology of limpets and long-term intertidal monitoring. He is now retired, but continues these monitoring studies.
Gray A. Williams spent many of his childhood summers messing around on the shores of South Wales. He enjoyed it so much, he decided to make a career of it and studied Biology at the University of Manchester, UK. After graduation, he studied for a PhD at the University of Bristol, investigating the relationship between littorinid snails and their host algae. During this time, he was lucky enough to be introduced to Lough Hyne, Ireland which stimulated his interest in the foraging behaviour of marine gastropods. He continued his work on littorinids as a Post Doctoral Fellow at Port Erin Marine Laboratory, Liverpool University, before joining The University of Hong Kong to work at The Swire Institute of Marine Science, which he currently runs. In his time at Hong Kong he has supervised > 30 higher degree students and teaches courses on coastal ecology. His present research focuses on thermal stress and its impact on the behaviour and physiology of intertidal grazers. Cynthia D. Trowbridge has been fascinated with tidepools, beach drift and marine life for the past forty years. Her educational background includes a B.A. from Cornell University and a Ph.D. from Oregon State University. She has conducted ecological research on herbivore-seaweed interactions in nine countries, including her current work in the UK, Ireland and Japan. Her specialties include the feeding ecology of herbivorous sea slugs and the problem of invasive seaweeds. She teaches marine-oriented field courses for university students, state park staff, and the general public. Cynthia is the currently serving as the Managing Editor of the American Malacological Bulletin.

Table of Contents

Preface

The shore environment

The diversity of shore organisms

Coping with life on the shore: adaptations of littoral organisms

Primary producers on the shore: the autotrophs

Utilizing autotrophic resources: the grazers

Suspension feeders: how to live on floating food

Eating flesh: the predators

Vertical distributions: 'zonation' and its causes

How organisms are gathered together: communities on the shore and the effects of wave exposure

The functioning of rocky shore communities

Human influences on rocky shores

Methods and experimental approaches

Appendix: Name changes of ecologically important taxa

Further Reading

References

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.