Marine Ecosystems and Climate Variation: The North Atlantic - A Comparative Perspective

This research level text focuses on the influence of climate variability on the marine ecosystems of the North Atlantic. The ecological impact of climate variability on population dynamics is addressed at the full range of trophic levels, from phytoplankton through zooplankton and fish to marine birds. Climate effects on biodiversity and community structure are also examined. 40 scientists from around the world synthesise what is currently known about how climate affects the ecological systems of the North Atlantic and then place these insights within a broader ecological perspective. Many of the general features of the North Atlantic region are also seen in other marine ecosystems as well as terrestrial and freshwater systems. The final section of the book makes these generalities more explicit, so as to stimulate communication and promote co-operation amongst researchers who may previously have worked in semi-isolation.The book comprises 5 main sections: background (general introduction, atmospheric and ocean climate of the North Atlantic, and modelling methodology), plankton populations (phytoplankton and zooplankton), fish and seabird populations, community ecology (phytoplankton, benthos and fish), and the final section consisting of six commentaries from scientists working in areas outside the North Atlantic marine sector. In order to enhance integration, a series of introductions link chapters and sections. Throughout the book, numerous examples highlight different aspects of ecology-climate interactions. They document recent progress and illustrate the challenges of trying to understand ecological processes and patterns in the light of climate variations.

Table of Contents:
Preface I. Background to climate variation and its effects on marine ecology Introduction 1: Ottersen, Stenseth, and Hurrell: Climatic fluctuations and marine systems: a general introduction to the ecological effects 2: Hurrell and Dickson: Climate variability over the North Atlantic 3: Werner, Aretxabaleta, and Pehrson Edwards: Modelling marine ecosystems and their environmental forcing II. Plankton populations Introduction 4: Smayda, Borkman, Beaugrand, and Belgrano: Phytoplankton 5: Pershing, Greene, Planque, and Fromentin: The influences of climate variability on North Atlantic zooplankton populations III. Fish and seabird populations Introduction 6: Ottersen, Alheit, Drinkwater, Friedland, Hagen, and Stenseth: The response of fish populations to ocean climate fluctuations 7: Durant, Stenseth, Anker-Nilssen, Harris, Thompson, and Wanless: Marine birds and climate fluctuation in the North Atlantic IV. Community Ecology Introduction 8: Belgrano, Lima, Stenseth, and Lindahl: Responses of phytoplankton communities to climate variability 9: Hagberg, Tunberg, Wieking, Kröncke, and Belgrano: Effects of climate variability on benthic communities 10: Lekve and Stenseth: Climatic influence on marine fish community ecology V. Climatic influences on marine fish community ecology-views from outside Introduction 11: Lehodey: Climate and fisheries: an insight from the Central Pacific Ocean 12: Bailey, Hollowed, and Wooster: Complexity of marine fisheries dynamics in the Northeast Pacific Ocean 13: Straile: A freshwater perspective on climate variability and its effect on marine ecosystems 14: Hessen: A freshwater perspective on climate variability and its effect on marine ecosystems 15: Post: Time lags in terrestrial and marine environments 16: Lima and Jaksic: The impact of ENSO on terrestrial ecosystems: a comparison with NAO VI. Conclusion: what are the ecological effects of climate variation in the North Atlantic ? AfterwordRoger Harris: Index

Review :
`... perhaps the first combined, focused and broad perspective of the North Atlantic Ocean climate variability and its influence on a variety of biological processes. ... We strongly recommend this book' Journal of Marine Systems