This book represents the Proceedings of the 37th European Marine Biology
Symposium, held in Reykjavík, Iceland, 5-9 August 2002. The main themes
of the symposium were Migrations and Dispersal of Marine Organisms.
These themes are highly relevant today. There is widespread man-aided
dispersal (e.g. by ballast water) of marine plants and animals, which
may have substantial effects on the regions receiving new species. The
new introductions may result in reduced diversity of plants and animals
and may affect natural resources in the countries receiving toxic algae
and other foreign elements. Studies of changes in distribution and
dispersal of marine animals and plants are also highly relevant with
reference to the changing climate taking place. The study of dispersal
has recently gained new impetus with the discovery of the remarkable
communities found on isolated hydrothermal vents and cold water seeps in
the world's oceans.
This book should appeal to a broad group of biologists, and especially
marine ecologists. Four papers are based on keynote addresses, given by
world authorities in their respective fields, on the state of the art of
different important aspects of dispersal and migrations. These are
followed by papers covering a wide field, from the rafting of
macrobenthic animals on human debris, the spread of the Chinese mitten
crap in Europe, the migrations of diatoms, and the seasonal movements of
copepods, to mention but a few.