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Riparian Landscapes examines the ecological systems of streamside and floodplain areas from the perspective of landscape ecology. The specific spatial pattern of riparian vegetation is seen as a result of, and a control on, the ecological, geomorphological, and hydrological processes that operate along rivers. Riparian structures are controlled by the spatial dynamics of channels, flooding and soil moisture. These dynamics are part of integrated cascades of water, sediment, nutrients and carbon, to which animal and plant species respond in ways that illuminate community structure and competition. The role of the riparian zone in controlling species distribution and abundance is discussed. Intelligent management of these valuable ecological resources is highlighted. The potential for linking hydrological, geomorphological and ecological simulation models is also explored

1. Introduction : why marine conservation is necessary : significance, threats and management of the oceans and biodiversity -- 2. The marine environment : physicochemical characteristics : structures and processes : enduring and recurrent factors -- 3. The marine environment : ecology and biology : pelagic and benthic realms and coastal fringing communities -- 4. Approaches to marine conservation : traditional strategies and ecological frameworks -- 5. Representative areas : global to ecoregional : marine conservation at the ecosystem/habitat level -- 6. Habitats and communities : ecoregional to local : reality, variability and scales of relationships -- 7. Distinctive areas : species and ecosystem processes : ecosystem processes : ergoclines and hotspots -- 8. Patterns of biodiversity : species diversity : theories and relationships : global, regional, local -- 9. Species and focal species : keystones, umbrellas, flagships, indicators and others -- 10. Genetic diversity : significance of genetics : from genes to ecosystems -- 11. Coastal zones : components, complexities and classifications -- 12. High seas and deep seas : pelagic and benthic, hydrography and biogeography -- 13. Linking fisheries management with marine conservation objectives through ecosystem approaches : compatibility of exploitation and preservation -- 14. Size and boundaries of protected areas : rationale for function, location, dimensions -- 15. Evaluation of protected areas : the concept of 'value' as applied to marine biodiversity -- 16. Sets of protected areas : integrating distinctive and representative protected areas -- 17. Networks of protected areas : patterns of connectivity in the oceans -- 18. Approaches to the establishment of marine monitoring programmes : stabilizing the baselines -- 19. Remaining problems in marine conservation : present problems, future solutions.

Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- PREFACE -- Chapter 1 Introduction -- 1.1 Definition of the Tropics -- 1.2 What Makes the Tropics Different? -- References -- PART 1 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT -- Chapter 2 Weather and Climate -- 2.1 Tropical Heat Engine -- 2.2 Tropical Winds and the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) -- 2.3 Tropical Rainfall and Temperature Patterns -- 2.4 Monsoons -- 2.4.1 The Asian Monsoon -- 2.4.2 The Indo-Australian Monsoon -- 2.4.3 The African Monsoons -- 2.4.4 The South American Monsoon -- 2.5 Tropical Weather Systems -- 2.6 The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) -- 2.7 Climate Change: Physical Aspects -- 2.7.1 Rising Atmospheric CO2 -- 2.7.2 Ocean Acidification -- 2.7.3 Rising Temperatures, Increased Storms, Extreme Weather Events, and Changes in Precipitation -- 2.7.4 Changes in Ocean Circulation -- 2.7.5 Sea-Level Rise (SLR) -- References -- Chapter 3 Tropical Marine Hydrosphere -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Large-Scale Circulation Patterns -- 3.3 Coastal Circulation -- 3.4 Estuarine Circulation -- 3.5 Coral Reef Hydrodynamics -- 3.6 Fluid Mechanics in Seagrass Meadows -- 3.7 Tides -- References -- Chapter 4 Tropical Marine Geosphere -- 4.1 Major Sedimentary Patterns -- 4.2 Distribution of Major Habitat Types -- 4.3 Nutrients -- 4.4 Tropical River Loads, Plumes, and Shelf Margins -- References -- PART 2 STRUCTURE -- Chapter 5 Biogeography and Origins -- 5.1 Tropical Biogeography -- 5.2 The Coral Triangle -- 5.3 Origins Explained -- 5.4 Marine Ecoregions and Provinces -- 5.5 The Latitudinal Diversity Gradient -- References -- Chapter 6 Populations and Communities -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Density Independence, Density Dependence, and Intraspecific Competition -- 6.3 Populations with Age Structure.

Chapter 1. Introduction -- Chapter 2. The Aquatic Habitat -- Chapter 3. Life Forms of Aquatic Organisms -- Chapter 4. Ecophysiology -- Chapter 5. Populations -- Chapter 6. Interactions -- Chapter 7. Communities and Ecosystems -- Chapter 8. Biogeochemistry -- Chapter 9. Human Impacts.

With contributions from an impressive group of Argentinean and German oceanographers, this book examines classical ecological issues relating to marine ecosystems in the context of climate change. It paints a picture of marine ecology at the crossroads of global warming and examines the fundamentals of marine ecology