Academic Press Coral Reef Marine Plants of Hainan Island

Coral Reef Marine Plants of Hainan Island summarizes the literature on the role and use of marine plants in coral reef ecosystems, especially in China and countries in the Asia-Pacific Region. The first chapter of the book focuses on the description of coral reef ecosystems, their architecture, and status of Hainan coral reefs. The second chapter focuses on common knowledge surrounding marine plants, such as their classification, identifying characteristics of different phyla, morphology, reproduction, life forms, main algal communities on coral reefs, distribution of algae on coral reefs and their roles, and the use of seaweeds in cookery, medicine, industry, and agriculture. The third chapter on the seaweed flora of Hainan Island contains species composition of the marine benthic flora, the complete list of marine plants found by researchers from all studies, and historical changes in the flora and seasonal changes. The final chapter shows how to identify common species of marine plants on coral reefs of Hainan Island. This excellent work will help readers identify relevant plants, also teaching them how to use plant resources to assess endangered states and create conservation strategies. Presents the first publication devoted to the description of marine plants of Hainan Island Describes marine plants, including the role of their communities in ecosystems of coral reef Discusses seasonal and decadal changes in biodiversity and the composition of the marine flora of the island Combines fundamental morphology with utilization and related products Review Summarizes the literature on the roles of marine plants in the coral reef ecosystem, especially in China and the Asian-Pacific region From the Back Cover Coral Reef Marine Plants of Hainan Island summarizes the literature and the findings of the authors on the marine plants in Hainan Island, the seasonal and decadal changes in the marine flora of the island, the role of marine plants in coral reef ecosystems, as well as their use, especially in China and the countries in the AsiaPacific region. This resource enables researchers and scientists to estimate the current status of the coral reefs and the coastal ecosystems of Hainan Island as well as to predict the fate of the ecosystems. The book is organized into four chapters: The first chapter focuses on a description of the coral reef ecosystems, their architecture and their environmental status. The second chapter focuses on the marine plants of Hainan Island, including their classification, the identifying characteristics of different phyla, their morphology, reproduction, life forms, the main algal communities, the distribution of algae on the coral reefs and their roles, and the use of seaweeds in cookery, medicine, industry, and agriculture. The third chapter focuses on the seaweed flora of Hainan Island, including the species composition of the marine benthic flora, a complete list of the marine plants found by researchers, historical changes in the flora, and seasonal changes. The last chapter is a guidebook describing how to identify common species of marine plants on the coral reefs of the island. This authoritative book draws on the expertise of the authors whose subject specializations include the biochemistry, physiology, and ecology of marine benthic algae and hermatypic corals, the taxonomy and ecology of macroalgae in temperate and tropical zones, and the oceanography with particular reference to studying coral reefs as ecosystems. Coral Reef Marine Plants of Hainan Island covers the identification of relevant plants, the use of plant resources, the assessment of endangered states, and the design of conservation strategies, and will promote systematic and evolutionary research on these plants by scientists and researchers. Coral Reef Marine Plants of Hainan Island also serves as an excellent guidebook on marine plants for tourists. About t