Methods for the Study of Marine Benthos

The continuing global decline of the health of the sea, and the increasing depletion of marine resources and biodiversity, caused by human activity and climate change, have led to ever–increasing international concern. These changes in the marine environment highlight the importance of effective monitoring of the ecology of the benthos which has been shown to be a sensitive index of such alterations. Completely revised and updated to include many new methods and technologies, this Fourth Edition of Methods for the Study of Marine Benthos provides comprehensive coverage on the tools and techniques available to those working in the area. Commencing with an overview of the design and analysis of benthic surveys, the book continues with chapters covering the sedimentary environment, imaging and diving techniques, macro– and meiofauna techniques, deep sea sampling, energy flow and production. An additional new chapter provided in this edition covers phytobenthos techniques. Written by many of the world’s leading authorities in marine sampling techniques and use, and edited by Professor Anastasios Eleftheriou, this comprehensive Fourth Edition is an essential tool for all marine and environmental scientists, ecologists, fisheries workers and oceanographers. Libraries in all research establishments and universities where these subjects are studied and taught will find this book to be a hugely valuable addition to their collections.

Contributors xii Dedication xiv Preface to the Fourth Edition xv Acknowledgements xvii Chapter 1 Design and Analysis in Benthic Surveys in Environmental Sampling 1 Antony J. Underwood and Maura G. Chapman Chapter 2 Characterising the Physical Properties of Seabed Habitats 47 Andrew J. Kenny and Ian Sotheran Chapter 3 Imaging Techniques 97 Chris J. Smith and Heye Rumohr Chapter 4 Diving 125 Colin Munro Chapter 5 Macrofauna Techniques 175 Anastasios Eleftheriou and Derek C. Moore Chapter 6 Meiofauna Techniques 253 Paul J. Somerfield and Richard M. Warwick Chapter 7 Deep–Sea Benthic Sampling 285 Alan J. Jamieson, Ben Boorman and Daniel O.B. Jones Chapter 8 Measuring the Flow of Energy and Matter in Marine Benthic Animal Populations 349 Jaap van der Meer, Thomas Brey, Carlo Heip, Peter M.J. Herman, Tom Moens and Dick van Oevelen Chapter 9 Phytobenthos Techniques 427 Hans Kautsky References 459 Index 467 Colour plate section 1 falls between pages 126 and 127 Colour plate section 2 falls between pages 302 and 303

Professor Anastasios Eleftheriou is based at the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, and at the Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.