Aspects of the ecology of Indo-Pacific seagrass systems : A PhD Thesis of the University of Essex, U.K

ISBN-13: 9783639101584 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 216 str.

Richard Unsworth

Opis

There exists a lack of information about many of theecological structuring processes within Indo-Pacificseagrass ecosystems; such knowledge is pertinent tothe future sustainable exploitation and management ofthese systems. This thesis considers aspects of thefunctions of seagrass ecosystems in supporting thefaunal productivity of Indo-Pacific coastal marinesystems. The Wakatobi Marine National Park, Indonesiais used as an example of seagrass habitats throughoutthe Indo-Pacific bioregion. Research is split intothree separate major aims; this firstly consideredthe major environmental influences on seagrassprimary production, and investigated how the seagrassis utilised as habitat and as a direct food resource.The second half of the thesis considers the role andextent of the impacts of habitat connectivity onseagrass fauna by considering how tidal and dielcycles, and the availability of mangrove and reef,influence seagrass fish assemblages.

O autorze

Richard Unsworth is a fisheries biologist based at the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. His expertise is in the ecology and assessment of marine systems. He has numerous academic research publications, and currently works on projects throughout the Australia and Asia-Pacific region.