Explores how two coastal ecosystems are responding to the pressures of human expansion
The Northern Adriatic Sea, a continental shelf ecosystem in the Northeast Mediterranean Sea, and the Chesapeake Bay, a major estuary of the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States, are semi-enclosed, river-dominated ecosystems with urbanized watersheds that support extensive industrial agriculture.
Coastal Ecosystems in Transition: A Comparative Analysis of the Northern Adriatic and Chesapeake Bay presents an update of a study published two decades ago. Revisiting these two ecosystems provides an opportunity to assess changing anthropogenic pressures in the context of global climate change. The new insights can be used to inform ecosystem-based approaches to sustainable development of coastal environments.
Volume highlights include:
- Effects of nutrient enrichment and climate-driven changes on critical coastal habitats
- Patterns of stratification and circulation
- Food web dynamics from phytoplankton to fish
- Nutrient cycling, water quality, and harmful algal events
- Causes and consequences of interannual variability
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Table of Contents
List of Contributors vii
Preface xi
1. Introduction: Coastal Ecosystem Services at Risk 1
Thomas C. Malone, Alenka Malej, and Jadran Faganeli
2. Recent Status and Long-Term Trends in Freshwater Discharge and Nutrient Inputs 7
Qian Zhang, Stefano Cozzi, Cindy Palinkas, and Michele Giani
3. Sea State: Recent Progress in the Context of Climate Change 21
William C. Boicourt, Matja Ličer, Ming Li, Martin Vodopivec, and Vlado Malačič
4. Phytoplankton Dynamics in a Changing Environment 49
Mark J. Brush, Patricija Mozetič, Janja Francé, Fabrizio Bernardi Aubry, Tamara Djakovac, Jadran Faganeli, Lora A. Harris, and Meghann Niesen
5. Eutrophication, Harmful Algae, Oxygen Depletion, and Acidification 75
Mark J. Brush, Michele Giani, Cecilia Totti, Jeremy M. Testa, Jadran Faganeli, Nives Ogrinc, W. Michael Kemp, and Serena Fonda Umani
6. Mesozooplankton and Gelatinous Zooplankton in the Face of Environmental Stressors 105
James Pierson, Elisa Camatti, Raleigh Hood, Tjaša Kogovšek, Davor Lučić,́ Valentina Tirelli, and Alenka Malej
7. Ecological Role of Microbes: Current Knowledge and Future Prospects 129
Valentina Turk, Sairah Malkin, Mauro Celussi, Tinkara Tinta, Jacob Cram, Francesca Malfatti, and Feng Chen
8. Advances in Our Understanding of Pelagic-Benthic Coupling 147
Jeremy M. Testa, Jadran Faganeli, Michele Giani, Mark J. Brush, Cinzia De Vittor, Walter R. Boynton, Stefano Covelli, Ryan J. Woodland, Nives Kovač, and W. Michael Kemp
9. Status of Critical Habitats and Invasive Species 177
Cindy Palinkas, Michele Mistri, Lorie Staver, Lovrenc Lipej, Petar Kruic,́ J. Court Stevenson, Mario Tamburri, Cristina Munari, and Martina Orlando-Bonaca
10. Status of Fish and Shellfish Stocks 203
Victor S. Kennedy, Luca Bolognini, Jakov Dulčić,́ Ryan J. Woodland, Michael J. Wilberg, and Lora A. Harris
11. Ecosystem-Based Management of Multiple Pressures: Summary and Conclusions 229
Alenka Malej, Jadran Faganeli, and Thomas C. Malone
Index 233
