Marine benthos : biology, ecosystem functions, and environmental impact / Rafael Riosmena-Rodríguez (The Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, Marine Biology Department and Marine Botany Research Program, Mexico), editor.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

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MARINE BENTHOS BIOLOGY, ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ; MARINE BENTHOS BIOLOGY, ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ; CONTENTS ; PREFACE; Chapter 1 IMPORTANCE OF BENTHOS IN THE TROPHIC STRUCTURE OF THE ICHTHYOFAUNA OF LOS FRAILES REEF, GULF OF CALIFORNIA, MEXICO ; Abstract; Introduction; Composition of the Fish Community; Abundance; Classification of Species According to Their Relative Abundance; Trophic Organization; Functional Trophic Groups; Diagram of Biomass Flow in the Reef; Discussion; Habitat Structural Complexity; Fish Community Composition

Trophic Organization of the Fish CommunityEffect of Benthic Structural Complexity on the Trophic Organization of the Ichthyofauna of the Los Frailes Reef; Conclusion; Acknowledgments; References; Chapter 2 MARINE SEAWEEDS OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA: DIVERSITY, ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE AND CONSERVATION ; Abstract; Introduction; Study Area; Results; Conservation; Acknowledgments; References; Chapter 3 BENTHIC ASSEMBLAGES IN SOUTH AMERICAN INTERTIDAL ROCKY SHORES: BIODIVERSITY, SERVICES, AND THREATS ; Abstract; Introduction

The Intertidal Rocky Shores in South America: Main Features and Associated BiodiversityThe Caribbean; Colombia; Venezuela; Trinidad and Tobago; The Atlantic; Brazil; The Northeast: Ceara; The Northeast: Sergipe; The Northeast: Bahia; The Southeast: Espírito Santo; The Southeast: São Paulo; The South: Paraná and Santa Catarina; Uruguay; Argentina; The Pacific; Colombia; Ecuador; Peru; Chile; Northern Chile: Iquique, Antofagasta and Copiapó; Central-Northern Chile: Coquimbo, Los Vilos and San Antonio; Central-Southern Chile: Concepción and Valdivia; Southern Chile: Punta Arenas

Uses and Threats to the Intertidal Rocky Shores in South AmericaThe Caribbean; The Atlantic; The Pacific; Gaps in Our Knowledge and Future Prospects; Acknowledgments; References; Chapter 4 EVALUATION OF BIOMASS AND REPRODUCTIVE ASPECTS OF INVASIVE ALGAE ACANTHOPHORA SPICIFERA IN PUNTA ROCA CAIMANCITO B.C.S MEXICO ; Abstract; Introduction; Ecological and Economic Impact of Marine Invasive Species; Impact on Coral Reef; Economic Importance; Algae Introduced; Acanthophora Spicifera an Invasive Seaweed; Description of Genus; Description of the Species; Geographical Distribution

Floristic Records of AlgaeStudy Area; Materials and Methods; Results; Environmental Conditions; General Features and Morphological of Acanthophora spicifera in Punta Roca Caimancito; Percentage of Wet and Dry Weight; Flora and Fauna of Acanthophora spicifera; Discussion; Conclusion; Recommendation; Annex; References; Chapter 5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ON MARINE BENTHIC COMMUNITIES IN AN INDUSTRIALIZED CARIBBEAN ISLAND-TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ; Abstract; Introduction; Brief Review of Local Benthic Ecological Assessments

Marine Benthos: Biology, Ecosystem Functions and Environmental Impact is a book dedicated to show a series of case studies about how benthic habitats are organized and how they function as a tool for any environmental impact studies. The present book documents how the natural condition of these communities is and aims to expand our present knowledge about their organization. The human population growth is driving a very strong pressure over coastal areas, and now more than ever we urgently need elements to evaluate environmental impacts. One of the most striking situations is the loss of biodiversity and the increase of invasive species who modify the trophic networks as well as the community structure. Many endangered species and species related to fisheries depend on the benthic habitat for their basic life cycle stages (reproduction, recruitment, nursery and feeding grounds) who might be impacted by natural and human induced causes. Ranging from species richness studies to population and community structure chapters, this book will bring the reader many options on how to measure environmental impacts. In particular, an analysis of how these environmental studies are made in Mexico provided a good example of how the present report base model is overdue and expresses the need for another approach. Keep in mind the present model does not take into account any statistical approach and is not mandatory in terms of the synergic and accumulative impacts; the lack of this consistency makes evaluation impossible to tell if the impacts are really happening.