Plankton Ecology of the Southwestern Atlantic ‒ From the Subtropical to the Subantarctic realm

HOFFMEYER, M.S.; CALLIARI, D.; BRANDINI, F.P.; SABATINI, M.E.,; SANTINELLI, N.H.

SPRINGER

Lugar: Cham; Año: 2018 p. 586

978-3-319-77868-6

Plankton Ecology of the Southwestern Atlantic. From the Subtropical to the Subantarctic Realm. Abstract. Plankton play an indispensable role in maintaining ocean life but are increasingly threatened by multiple natural and human-induced changes to the environment. This advanced textbook explores the intriguing marine plankton communities of the Southwestern Atlantic region along the coast of southern South America. This marine system encompasses low to high latitude environments framed by a complex hydrographic scenery, confronting the local plankton communities with the growing challenge of global climate change and other human-induced environmental transformations. This vast and iconic region of the southwestern Atlantic shelf and coasts has been largely under-recognized and under-studied. However, recent years have witnessed a strong and growing interest in the region accompanied by acknowledgment of its high biological productivity. Over one hundred experts in plankton ecology and oceanography from Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina have contributed to the book, actually a very high number of authors for the region given the rather small universe of potential contributors. The topics covered in the volume are organised as follows in a total of 25 chapters: Part I deals with the historical background of plankton ecology and biological oceanography research on the Atlantic shelf and coastal region of South America, focusing on the regional development of the discipline mainly in Brazil and Argentina and mentioning key programmes of scientific cooperation with overseas countries. Part II consists of five chapters dealing primarily with the oceanographic characterization of the study region. Major circulation patterns over the shelf are described and the characteristics of several highly productive frontal areas are also portrayed. Inorganic nutrient content in sea water masses, its origin and fate within the region are then addressed, and the associated patterns of chlorophyll a concentration are discussed. Finally, the levels and variability patterns of planktonic primary production in different shelf and coastal systems and the responsible phytoplankton taxonomic groups are depicted. Part III comprises six chapters dealing with the structure and dynamics of plankton communities over the shelf along various latitudes within the region in relation to water masses, frontal areas and oceanographic processes. Life histories, population structure and trophic conditions of some key zooplankton species are considered. Their link to the distribution areas of exploited fish species over the shelf, oceanographic features and hydroclimatic conditions are also examined. Part IV contains six chapters dealing with the structure of plankton communities in coastal systems and their spatio-temporal dynamics. The variability patterns of density and biomass are also discussed in relation to natural or anthropogenic stressors. Life histories of some key species are included. Trophic interactions and the effects of major pollutants and eutrophication on plankton communities and individuals are also addressed. Part V includes two chapters on the taxonomic groups collectively known as ?jellyfish?, their diversity, abundance and distribution in the region. The characteristics of their occasional blooms, the factors that promote their formation and the biochemical implications for ecosystems are examined mainly from review contributions. Other issues include some key shelf and estuarine species examined from a trophic perspective, thus allowing for the assessment of ?jellyfish? as prey for several other marine consumers. Part VI comprises three chapters dealing with the taxonomy, richness and abundance of phytoplankton toxigenic species (dinoflagellates and diatoms) as well as their genesis and distribution patterns across distinct shelf systems within the region. The characteristics of these species? blooms as well as the environmental factors (natural and human-induced) that appear to trigger and maintain them in particular areas and times are examined. The accumulation and transport of some toxins through pelagic food webs, either within the first trophic levels (plankton communities) or passed up to large-sized consumers such as whales are further discussed. The three chapters of Part VII address the effects of sea water warming and other consequences of climate change on the phytoplankton and zooplankton communities of different marine systems within the region. The effects of eutrophication, pollution and UV radiation on coastal plankton communities and individuals are also considered and the results of experimental approaches presented.