This book provides a multidisciplinary overview of the importance of zooplankton in aquatic ecosystems based on three main core areas: Ecology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Education. The world of zooplankton is presented starting from the basic aspects of their biology and ecology to the recent scientific advances and technologies, including the interface with multidisciplinary and resources management models. The present and projected challenges from global warming, ocean acidification and anthropogenic pollution are examined in several worldwide case studies. This book will show the readers the potential and importance of these creatures to aquatic wildlife.
General introduction. Ecology and Taxonomy. Zooplankton Diversity and
Life Cycles. Freshwater ecosystems. Estuarine Zooplankton. Coastal
Zooplankton. Marine Zooplankton. The Importance of Zooplankton on Aquatic
Food webs. Population Dynamics and Interactions. Function and Structure of
Aquatic Food Webs. Study methodologies. Sampling and Processing. New Sampling
Methods. Biotechnology. Worldwide Case Studies. Effects of Climate Changes.
Anthropogenic Pollution Effects. Multiple Stressors Effects. Zooplanktonic
Bioindicators, Invasive Species. Geographic Distribution. Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) and Ecological Models. Environmental Education.
Teaching Zooplankton in School. Enhancing the Zooplankton importance to the
General Public. Climate Changes and Zooplankton. Evolution and Resilience.
Zooplankton in interface studies and resource management models. Future
Perspectives. References.
L.R. Vieira is an Assistant Researcher at the Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Portugal. He acquired experience and expertise in the area of aquatic ecotoxicology, zooplanktology, biomarkers, biomonitoring, ecological risk assessment, analysis of water quality and multi-stressors effects (combined effects of abiotic variables, pollution and climate changes) on estuarine and coastal ecosystems organisms. Dr. Morgados areas of expertise are Estuarine and Marine Ecology; Planktonic Biology and Ecology; Aquatic Ecotoxicology; Tropical ecology and ecotoxicology; Environmental Education, Education for Sustainable Development, Communication and Dissemination of Science. He has published nearly forty books and book chapters; about 100 specialized scientific articles.
