Migrations and Dispersal of Marine Organisms: Proceedings of the 37th European Marine Biology Symposium held in Reykjavik, Iceland, 5-9 August 2002

This book represents the Proceedings of the 37th European Marine Biology Symposium, held in Reykjavik, 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.