It is a well-known fact that eutrophication of coastal waters causes
significant changes in the species composition of the primary producers.
Usually a shift from an ecosystem dominated by sea grasses or large
brown algae to an ecosystem dominated by fast-growing green algae or
phytoplankton is observed. While this shift has been documented in a
number of research papers and books, the consequences of this shift are
less well known. This book focuses on the consequences of such changes
for nutrient cycling.
The aim is to investigate how different types of primary producers
influence nutrient cycling in coastal marine waters, and how nutrient
cycling changes qualitatively and quantitatively as a consequence of the
changes in the primary producer community caused by eutrophication. The
various chapters address specific ecological processes such as grazing,
decomposition, burial and export of biomass from the ecosystem. The book
is intended for researchers and professionals working in the field of
coastal marine ecology and estuarine ecology and for advanced students
in this field.