Marine Ecology of the Arabian Region: Patterns and Processes in Extreme Tropical Environments - Hardcover

Sheppard, Charles; Price, Andrew; Roberts, Callum

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0126394903 ISBN 13: 9780126394900

Publisher: Academic Press, 1992

Synopsis

That part of the Indian Ocean bordering Saudi Arabia is a rich mosaic of coastal and marine ecosystems, both natural and man-made. Among these are coral reefs, mangroves, tidal flats, seagrasses, and other hard and soft substrata. Some ecosystems are relatively simple, while others such as the coral reefs are highly complex and among the most diverse in the Indian Ocean. The region divides into several large, semi-enclosed water bodies whose different physical characteristics result in distinct habitats. The overall aridity, extremes of water temperature, and often very high salinities have produced some of the most extreme marine climates on Earth.
This book summarizes the available information on the region, then reviews the processes shaping the various marine and coastal systems. It relates patterns in marine assemblages to the strong environmental gradients and biogeographic barriers in the region. Finally, the book considers the human dimension. Some of the world's poorest and richest nations border these seas, making diverse claims on fisheries and other natural resources. The 1991 Gulf War is only the most recent of a range of impacts affecting the region. Approaches for resolving the increasing resource use conflicts are described.
This volume will be of immense value to research workers, students of marine biology, and environmental managers in general, as well as to those with a particular interest in this part of the world.

• One of the few published works on this unique and diverse region
• Serves as a basic introduction to the area
• Provides a detailed analysis of ecosystem function
• Discusses human pollution and its effects

About this title

From the Back Cover:

This part of the Indian Ocean bordering Arabia is a rich and complex ecosystem of coral reefs, mangrove coastlines and deeper water communities. Only reunited with the Indian Ocean by quite recent rises in sea level, it contains both areas of relative simplicity and those where certain species' assemblages are surprisingly divers. It divides into several, large, semi-enclosed water bodies, leading to often quite distinct habitats in close proximity to each other. Finally, the overall aridity of the surrounding land areas makes these seas some of the most extreme marine climates on earth.
In this book the authors first present an overview of the available information on the area, before going on to review the processes at work in the various marine and intertidal systems. Finally, they consider the human dimension in the region. Some of the world's poorest as well as richest nations border on these seas, making diverse claims on its resources and subjecting it to a variety of pressures.
This volume will be of immense value to both research workers and students of marine biology in general, as well as to those with a particular interest in this part of the world. Its ecology must be further studied and understood if management regimes for the region's rich fisheries are to be maintained alongside the risks of oil pollution and the results of ware.

Review:

"Written by scientists with great knowledge of the area, the book is authoritative and detailed as well as being readable, well and profusely illustrated, interesting, and up-to-date." --BIOLOGIST

"The book presents, in one work, the latest information on the ecology of the Arabian region." --BIOLOGICAL ABSTRACTS

About this edition

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0126394903
• ISBN 13: 9780126394900
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 359