Growth and Reproductive Strategies of Freshwater Phytoplankton

Description

Growth and Reproductive Strategies of Freshwater Phytoplankton brings both the phycological (i.e. botanical) and limnological (i.e. ecological) literature into focus to reveal the morphological, reproductive and physiological characteristics of these microscopic organisms. Emphasis is on adaptive strategies for survival in stressful and seasonally changing aquatic habitats. The synthesis of this literature from an organismal and evolutionary perspective is unique. The following important groups of planktonic algae are considered: cyanobacteria, green algae, diatoms, dinoflagellates, cryptomonads, and chrysophyte flagellates. For each algal group, the importance of both growth and loss processes influencing biogeography and seasonality is emphasised. Where appropriate, the importance of sexual reproduction and benthic resting stages is considered. The final three chapters bring together data on three major ecological processes relevant to phytoplankton, i.e. resource competition, grazing by herbivorous zooplankton, and morphological and physiological 'packaging plans' of algal cells.

'Even with 25 years experience in phytoplankton ecology, I have learnt a lot from this book; I strongly recommend it to both 'old stagers' and young students of phytoplankton ecology ...' A. E. Bailey-Watts, Trends in Ecology and Evolution 'The book will provide researchers and postgraduate students alike with an excellent introduction to the ecological implications of the growth and life histories of the algae.' European Journal of Protistology 'A must for phycologists as well as limnologists!' Hydrobologia