Hawaiian Reef Plants - Softcover

John M. Huisman; Isabella A. Abbott; Celia M. Smith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1929054041 ISBN 13: 9781929054046

Publisher: University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, 2007

Synopsis

The University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program is pleased to announce its newest publication Hawaiian Reef Plants. The book is written by John M. Huisman, Isabella A. Abbott and Celia M. Smith, three of the worlds leading botanists, and is in full color. Its 264 pages are packed with stunning photographs of the Hawaiian marine flora, plus keys, descriptions, introductory chapters, sections on Hawaiian use of seaweeds and much more. This volume concentrates on a significant part of Hawaiian marine life marine plants, or seaweeds. Hawaiian culture was and is heavily dependent upon the sea, and reef algae or limu as it is known in Hawaii, as a prominent part of the culture. Hawaiian Reef Plants is an easy-to-use yet comprehensive guide on nearly all species of marine plants present in Hawaii accompanied by stunning photographs and illustrations. The book is valuable to experts and novices alike, and is a must-read for everyone interested in marine plants and the complex ecosystems in which they live.

About this title

Review

Between the popular color plate marine guides the special books on marine plants are thriving. Recent new ones are for the Tanzanian (Oliveira et al., 2005), Kwazulu-Natal (De Clerck et al., 2005), European coasts (Cabioc'h et al., 2006) and Palau (Ohba et al., 2007). The three authors of Hawaiian Reef Plants are well-known marine botanists who have selected beautiful photographs to show the biodiversity. In this kind of books the introductory chapters are often very interesting and these are as diverse as the marine floras themselves. About Hawaiian reef plants we are informed through paragraphs on the identity and nomenclature of marine plants, completed by several taxonomic keys. Also included are paragraphs in which the selection of the plants is explained as well as preparation of herbarium sheets and data on the Hawaiian shoreline and coastal reef ecosystems with their shortage of native grazers and excess of alien invasive species, The book is thought to be an easy-to-use-guide in a form that is accessible to all. For that purpose a glossary is included to help understand the scholarly text. Nevertheless, some questions may arise about some statements, Some examples: On p. 11, below the photographs of Gracilaria cronopifolia is stated: The lower specimen is bearing reproductive structures; it is illegal to collect such plants, which produce spores that become the next generation. It is not clear, however, on what regulation this is based and that regulation is not further explained or stipulated. Maybe it is related to the Hawaiian notion of Limu, the traditional use of marine plants for food and ceremonies. Over-exploitation by Limu-pickers may have brought the need for such regulations. On p. 18 it is stated that There are fewer species and less diversity on shores where there is a large tidal range, whereas in places with a small tidal range like Hawaii, marine plants and animals characteristically arrange themselves to take advantage of conditions of wetness and light. The suggested contrast is not explained here and the general rule suggested is certainly not a global rule - in many areas of the world larger tidal ranges means more different niches and consequently more diversity and more different species. The introductory paragraphs stress the importance of grazers to keep coastal areas (and especially coral reefs) free of covering algae. It is stated that the Hawaiian reefs have not enough fishes to graze the bloom of the alien species, such as Gracilaria salicornia, Eucheuma denticulatum, Kappaphycus alvarezii, Hypnea musciformis and even the relatively well-grazed Acanthophora spicifera. Even the green Avrainvillea amadelpha is considered to be an alien species in Hawaiian waters. Reading through the pages with data and photographs on the different marine plants a few inconsistencies were met, like the statement (on p. 30) that Jania adhaerens is the most common species of its genus, but in the special part only two other Jania species are dealt with. On p. 113 Gracilaria tikvahiae is listed as one of the popular Hawaiian food sources. It is not told, however, where that red seaweed grows (not in Hawaii?!). The small photograph of Spyridia filamentosa, which is correct on p. 132, has again be printed on p. 149 as Spirocladia hodgsoniae. On the photographs of Caulerpa serrulata and Caulerpa webbiana, these species are not well characterized, and the photograph of the propagule of Sphacelaria novae-hollandiae shows such a structure of Sphacelaria tribuloides. Finally, I do not understand the numerical data on Sargassum; six species in Hawaii are fortunately only five recorded species? For visitors, especially marine phycologists and all others interested in marine plants of the Indo-West Pacific this book is a good companion during fieldtrips and coastal research... --Blumea Vol. 52, No. 2, 2007

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1929054041
• ISBN 13: 9781929054046
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 264
• Editor: University Of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program