Preface
VII
This book, therefore, attempts to present the principal system components that constitute the main control structures of the flows and processes in 22 important ecosystems of Latin America's Pacific and Atlantic
coasts (Fig. 1). To facilitate comparisons among systems, each review
describes the environmental settings, biotic components and structure of
the system, considers trophic processes and energy flow, traces interfaces
with adjacent systems, evaluates the modifying influence of natural and/or
human perturbations, and suggests management needs. Although the
focus of the book is on basic research, by examining many of the unresolved management issues the results have application for coastal managers. The book highlights advances of ecological research in major Latin
American coastal marine ecosystems, however, it also addresses gaps in
our understanding, and thus should alert scientists, managers, and decision-makers to the lingering danger of neglecting basic research.
We gratefully acknowledge the enthusiasm of our contributing colleagues for distilling the pertinent information from the body of published
literature and for making available their many years of research experience
in each ecosystem. The Brazilian National Research Council ( CNPq) provided supportive funding for this book. Special thanks go to Dr. Luiz Drude
de Lacerda for the critical review of several contributions and his helpful
suggestions during the editing process of this book.
August 2000
Ulrich Seeliger
VII
This book, therefore, attempts to present the principal system components that constitute the main control structures of the flows and processes in 22 important ecosystems of Latin America's Pacific and Atlantic
coasts (Fig. 1). To facilitate comparisons among systems, each review
describes the environmental settings, biotic components and structure of
the system, considers trophic processes and energy flow, traces interfaces
with adjacent systems, evaluates the modifying influence of natural and/or
human perturbations, and suggests management needs. Although the
focus of the book is on basic research, by examining many of the unresolved management issues the results have application for coastal managers. The book highlights advances of ecological research in major Latin
American coastal marine ecosystems, however, it also addresses gaps in
our understanding, and thus should alert scientists, managers, and decision-makers to the lingering danger of neglecting basic research.
We gratefully acknowledge the enthusiasm of our contributing colleagues for distilling the pertinent information from the body of published
literature and for making available their many years of research experience
in each ecosystem. The Brazilian National Research Council ( CNPq) provided supportive funding for this book. Special thanks go to Dr. Luiz Drude
de Lacerda for the critical review of several contributions and his helpful
suggestions during the editing process of this book.
August 2000
Ulrich Seeliger