Biology of Polar Benthic Algae (Marine and Freshwater Botany)

This overview is the result of about 30 years of investigations conducted in the Arctic and Antarctic by scientists from throughout the world. The intent of editor Weincke (seaweed biology, Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Germany) and his 37 co-authors was to bring together the current state of knowledge regarding polar benthic algae and to develop channels for continuing research. Topics addressed in this collection of monographs include: environment, biogeography, and biodiversity; chemical ecology, primary production and ecophysiology, and polar benthic algae in a changing world. The book is very technical, and would interest practitioners in biology, climate change, environment, and related fields. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

This work synthesizes the current state of knowledge on the biology of polar benthic marine algae and presents an outlook on their responses to changing environmental conditions in polar regions. Topics treated include environment, biodiversity and biogeography of micro- and macroalgae, including an update of the knowledge of the red algal flora of Antarctica. It treats the chemical ecology as well as the primary production and ecophysiology of polar benthic algae with new information on the important contribution of benthic microalgae to the productivity in costal areas.