About the book
A thesis submitted according to the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the University of Queensland.
December, 1994.
Coral reefs seem to defy many of the paradigms which characterize less complex biological communities. While there is general agreement that the biota of coral reefs exhibit high species diversity, some authors have characterized coral reef assemblages by selecting species with high population densities (Sale, 1974; 1976; 1977; 1984; Sale and Dybdahl, 1975; Connell, 1978). Other authors have included rarer species (Kohn, 1959; 1968; Den Boer, 1971; Grassle, 1973) and Endean and Cameron (1990 a) have emphasized the importance of the role of these rarer species and stated that rarity is virtually ignored in most ecological models of the coral reef ecosystem. They suggest that our understanding of coral-reef ecology is influenced strongly by the constraints of many of the analytical tools being used in reef studies. As a result, they believe that most analyses have dealt primarily with species that are sufficiently numerous to provide statistically satisfactory numbers of records and that most studies have excluded rare species which, in fact comprise the majority of coral-reef species.
The complexity of coral reef ecosystems is not surprising given the great length of time that these ecosystems have been in existence. While the shallow water distribution of coral reefs has varied with the alternation of glacial and interglacial periods (Hays, Imbrie and Shackleton, 1976), in their broad biological form, coral reefs have existed since the Precambrian and reefs similar to present reefs have existed for around 50 million years (Newell, 1972). While stating that there is no general rule for coral-reef organisms, Endean and Cameron (1990 a) have suggested that the attribute of persistence possessed by most of the rarer species characterizes the majority of coral-reef species and is responsible for both structuring and perpetuating this ecosystem. They regard the coral reef ecosystem as being an ordered and predictable system. However, other authors (Sale, 1977; 1991; Connell, 1978) have different views.
Editions of Persisters and Opportunists in an Assemblage of Coral-Reef Starfish
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780645782455
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780645782448
- Kindle
- ISBN 9780645782431
- PDF
- ISBN 9780645796162
Read an Excerpt
A thesis submitted according to the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the University of Queensland.
December, 1994.
Coral reefs seem to defy many of the paradigms which characterize less complex biological communities. While there is general agreement that the biota of coral reefs exhibit high species diversity, some authors have characterized coral reef assemblages by selecting species with high population densities (Sale, 1974; 1976; 1977; 1984; Sale and Dybdahl, 1975; Connell, 1978). Other authors have included rarer species (Kohn, 1959; 1968; Den Boer, 1971; Grassle, 1973) and Endean and Cameron (1990 a) have emphasized the importance of the role of these rarer species and stated that rarity is virtually ignored in most ecological models of the coral reef ecosystem. They suggest that our understanding of coral-reef ecology is influenced strongly by the constraints of many of the analytical tools being used in reef studies. As a result, they believe that most analyses have dealt primarily with species that are sufficiently numerous to provide statistically satisfactory numbers of records and that most studies have excluded rare species which, in fact comprise the majority of coral-reef species.
The complexity of coral reef ecosystems is not surprising given the great length of time that these ecosystems have been in existence. While the shallow water distribution of coral reefs has varied with the alternation of glacial and interglacial periods (Hays, Imbrie and Shackleton, 1976), in their broad biological form, coral reefs have existed since the Precambrian and reefs similar to present reefs have existed for around 50 million years (Newell, 1972). While stating that there is no general rule for coral-reef organisms, Endean and Cameron (1990 a) have suggested that the attribute of persistence possessed by most of the rarer species characterizes the majority of coral-reef species and is responsible for both structuring and perpetuating this ecosystem. They regard the coral reef ecosystem as being an ordered and predictable system. However, other authors (Sale, 1977; 1991; Connell, 1978) have different views.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Persisters and Opportunists in an Assemblage of Coral-Reef Starfish about?
A thesis submitted according to the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the University of Queensland.
December, 1994.
Coral reefs seem to defy many of the paradigms which characterize less complex biological communities. While there is general agreement that the biota of coral reefs exhibit high species diversity, some authors have characterized coral reef assemblages by selecting species with high population densities (Sale, 1974; 1976; 1977; 1984; Sale and Dybdahl, 1975; Connell, 1978). Other authors have included rarer species (Kohn, 1959; 1968; Den Boer, 1971; Grassle, 1973) and Endean and Cameron (1990 a) have emphasized the importance of the role of these rarer species and stated that rarity is virtually ignored in most ecological models of the coral reef ecosystem. They suggest that our understanding of coral-reef ecology is influenced strongly by the constraints of many of the analytical tools being used in reef studies. As a result, they believe that most analyses have dealt primarily with species that are sufficiently numerous to provide statistically satisfactory numbers of records and that most studies have excluded rare species which, in fact comprise the majority of coral-reef species.
The complexity of coral reef ecosystems is not surprising given the great length of time that these ecosystems have been in existence. While the shallow water distribution of coral reefs has varied with the alternation of glacial and interglacial periods (Hays, Imbrie and Shackleton, 1976), in their broad biological form, coral reefs have existed since the Precambrian and reefs similar to present reefs have existed for around 50 million years (Newell, 1972). While stating that there is no general rule for coral-reef organisms, Endean and Cameron (1990 a) have suggested that the attribute of persistence possessed by most of the rarer species characterizes the majority of coral-reef species and is responsible for both structuring and perpetuating this ecosystem. They regard the coral reef ecosystem as being an ordered and predictable system. However, other authors (Sale, 1977; 1991; Connell, 1978) have different views.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Persisters and Opportunists in an Assemblage of Coral-Reef Starfish?
Mathematics and Science > Biology, life sciences > Hydrobiology > Marine biology
Where can I read a sample of Persisters and Opportunists in an Assemblage of Coral-Reef Starfish?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780645782455
How long is Persisters and Opportunists in an Assemblage of Coral-Reef Starfish and how many pages does it have?
Persisters and Opportunists in an Assemblage of Coral-Reef Starfish has 236 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Persisters and Opportunists in an Assemblage of Coral-Reef Starfish?
John Paterson
Who is the Publisher of the book Persisters and Opportunists in an Assemblage of Coral-Reef Starfish?
Charonia Research
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Persisters and Opportunists in an Assemblage of Coral-Reef Starfish is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780645782455) and paperback(ISBN 9780645782448) and kindle(ISBN 9780645782431) and pdf(ISBN 9780645796162)
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