xvi
Foreword
describe how modeling can be used to manage contaminant loads (specifically nutrients) in the process
of seagrass recovery. Kenworthy et al. (Chapter 25)
examine the current state of seagrass science within
the viewpoint of conservation biology, discussing
areas where seagrass science is developing a conservation biology approach, identifying priority research topics for conservation science in the future,
citing examples where science and conservation biology are being applied in the seagrass biome, and
finally recommending a course of action based on
the principles of conservation biology to reverse the
global trend of fragmentation, local extinction, and
general degradation of the seagrass biome. Finally,
Bell et al. (Chapter 26) bring into focus a new approach to studying seagrasses in relation to the entire
landscape, by first providing a brief review of concepts and techniques associated with a landscape approach, then evaluating how information collected
from studies in seagrass systems compares to that
from analogous terrestrial systems/landscapes. Finally, they discuss some potential areas of future
research in the field of seagrass landscape ecology, recommending conceptual and methodological
improvements.
Last, a significant amount of research has been
conducted on three genera, Thalassia, Posidonia
and Zostera, which together account for much of
the world’s seagrass meadows Three knowledgeable
groups of scientists have attempted to synthesize the
important aspects of significant research on these
three genera with the hope that research in the other
nine genera will follow suit.
The science of seagrasses has made tremendous
strides in the last two decades but much remains
ahead. We hope the chapters in this book both provide the necessary background on what brought each
topic to where it is today and indicate where future
research needs to go to advance the field to the next
level. If we have accomplished that, then we, as editors, will feel we have done our job in this book.
References
Costanza, R, d’Arge, R, De Groot, R, Fraber, S, Grasso, M,
Hannon, B, Limburg, K, Naeem, S, O’Neill, R, Paruelo, J,
Raskin, R, Sutton, P & Van den Belt, M (1997) The value
of the world’s ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature
387: 253–60.
den Hartog, C (1970) The seagrasses of the world. North Holland,
Amsterdam.
Duarte, C (1999) Seagrass ecology at the turn of the millennium: challenges for the new century. Aquatic Botany 65:
7–20.
Green, E and Short, F (2003) World Atlas of Seagrasses.
University of California Press, Berkeley, USA. 286 p.
Hemminga, MA and Duarte, CM (2000) Seagrass Ecology.
Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge
Short, FT and Coles, RG (2001) Global Seagrass Research
Methods. Elsevier, Amsterdam. 482 pp.
Foreword
describe how modeling can be used to manage contaminant loads (specifically nutrients) in the process
of seagrass recovery. Kenworthy et al. (Chapter 25)
examine the current state of seagrass science within
the viewpoint of conservation biology, discussing
areas where seagrass science is developing a conservation biology approach, identifying priority research topics for conservation science in the future,
citing examples where science and conservation biology are being applied in the seagrass biome, and
finally recommending a course of action based on
the principles of conservation biology to reverse the
global trend of fragmentation, local extinction, and
general degradation of the seagrass biome. Finally,
Bell et al. (Chapter 26) bring into focus a new approach to studying seagrasses in relation to the entire
landscape, by first providing a brief review of concepts and techniques associated with a landscape approach, then evaluating how information collected
from studies in seagrass systems compares to that
from analogous terrestrial systems/landscapes. Finally, they discuss some potential areas of future
research in the field of seagrass landscape ecology, recommending conceptual and methodological
improvements.
Last, a significant amount of research has been
conducted on three genera, Thalassia, Posidonia
and Zostera, which together account for much of
the world’s seagrass meadows Three knowledgeable
groups of scientists have attempted to synthesize the
important aspects of significant research on these
three genera with the hope that research in the other
nine genera will follow suit.
The science of seagrasses has made tremendous
strides in the last two decades but much remains
ahead. We hope the chapters in this book both provide the necessary background on what brought each
topic to where it is today and indicate where future
research needs to go to advance the field to the next
level. If we have accomplished that, then we, as editors, will feel we have done our job in this book.
References
Costanza, R, d’Arge, R, De Groot, R, Fraber, S, Grasso, M,
Hannon, B, Limburg, K, Naeem, S, O’Neill, R, Paruelo, J,
Raskin, R, Sutton, P & Van den Belt, M (1997) The value
of the world’s ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature
387: 253–60.
den Hartog, C (1970) The seagrasses of the world. North Holland,
Amsterdam.
Duarte, C (1999) Seagrass ecology at the turn of the millennium: challenges for the new century. Aquatic Botany 65:
7–20.
Green, E and Short, F (2003) World Atlas of Seagrasses.
University of California Press, Berkeley, USA. 286 p.
Hemminga, MA and Duarte, CM (2000) Seagrass Ecology.
Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge
Short, FT and Coles, RG (2001) Global Seagrass Research
Methods. Elsevier, Amsterdam. 482 pp.