Antarctic Ecosystems: an Extreme Environment in a Changing World Alex D

Key Title Marine Ecology

Antarctic Ecosystems: An Extreme Environment in a Changing World Alex D. Rogers, Nadine M. Johnston, Eugene J. Murphy, Andrew Clarke

Since its discovery Antarctica has held a deep fascination for biologists. Extreme environmental conditions, seasonality and isolation have lead to some of the most striking examples of natural selection and adaptation on Earth. Paradoxically, some of these adaptations may pose constraints on the ability of the Antarctic biota to respond to climate change. Parts of Antarctica are showing some of the largest changes in ISBN: 978-1-4051-9840-0 temperature and other environmental conditions in the world. In this volume, published in association with the Royal Hardcover | 564 pages | Society, leading polar scientists present a synthesis of the latest research on the biological systems in Antarctica, RRP:£85.00/$159.95/€112.00 covering organisms from microbes to vertebrate higher predators. This book comes at a time when new technologies February 2012 and approaches allow the implications of climate change and other direct human impacts on Antarctica to be viewed at a range of scales; across entire regions, whole ecosystems and down to the level of species and variation within their genomes. Chapters address both Antarctic terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and the scientific and management challenges of the future are explored.

CONTENTS

Contributors Chapter 8. Pelagic ecosystems in the waters off East Antarctica Introduction: Antarctic ecology in a changing world (30°E--150°E) Part I: Terrestrial and freshwater habitats Chapter 9. The dynamic mosaic: Disturbance and development Chapter 1. Spatial and temporal variability in terrestrial Antarctic of Antarctic benthic communities biodiversity Chapter 10. Southern Ocean deep benthic biodiversity Chapter 2. Global Change in a Low Diversity Terrestrial Chapter 11. Environmental forcing and Southern Ocean marine Ecosystem: The McMurdo Dry Valleys predator populations: effects of climate change and variability Chapter 3. Antarctic lakes as models for the study of microbial Part III: Molecular adaptations and evolution biodiversity, biogeography and evolution Chapter 12. Molecular ecophysiology of Antarctic notothenioid Part II: Marine habitats and regions fishes Chapter 4. The impact of regional climate change on the marine Chapter 13. Mechanisms defining thermal limits and adaptation ecosystem of the western Antarctic Peninsula in marine ectotherms: an integrative view Chapter 5. The Marine Ecosystem of the West Antarctic Chapter 14. Evolution and biodiversity of Antarctic organisms; a Peninsula molecular perspective Chapter 6. Spatial and Temporal Operation of the Scotia Sea Part IV: Conservation and management aspects Ecosystem Chapter 15. Biogeography and regional classifications of Chapter 7. The Ross Sea Continental Shelf: Regional Antarctica Biogeochemical Cycles, Trophic Interactions, and Potential Chapter 16. Conservation and Management of Antarctic Future Changes Ecosystems Index