File:Atoll research bulletin (2001) (20337261032).jpg

Title: Atoll research bulletin
Identifier: atollresearchb4942001smit (find matches)
Year: 1951 (1950s)
Authors: Smithsonian Institution. Press; National Research Council (U. S. ). Pacific Science Board; Smithsonian Institution; National Museum of Natural History (U. S. ); United States. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife
Subjects: Coral reefs and islands; Marine biology; Marine sciences
Publisher: Washington, D. C. : (Smithsonian Press)
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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Figure 11. Performing functional morphology studies of tropical coral-reef algae in Belize. (5) Developed and began testing a new theory of tropical reef biogenesis (Relative Dominance Model (RDM)) having major predictive significance to managers of reef ecosystems. This model posits that stable-state shifts in dominance from coral to various algal systems (accelerated by destructive forces) are ultimately a function of complex interactions between the major controlling factors of nutrient levels and herbivorous fish abundances, both of which are highly sensitive to anthropogenic modification. (Fifteen papers published; e.g., 1991. Comparisons ofN- and P-limited productivity between high islands vs. low carbonate atolls in the Seychelles Archipelago: a test of the relative-dominance paradigm. Coral Reefs 10 (4): 199- 209.) In conducting the above-mentioned basic and applied research, we were amazed to learn how few of the macroalgal species from the ocean realm, particularly the Caribbean region, have yet been discovered and properly documented. We suspect that there are more macrophyte species undescribed than described. As examples, our three generic monographs. incorporating extensive scuba-depth collections (Littler and Littler 1990, 1991,1992b), more than doubled the number of known taxa for each genus (i.e., Anadyomene, Avrainvillea, and Udotea) in the Caribbean and tropical western Atlantic. Consequently, we came to the conclusion that a simple identification manual was urgently needed by a broad spectrum of marine investigators and conservationists. Since producing the popular photo guide (with Jim Norris and Katy Bucher. Littler et al. 1989), we received numerous requests to develop a systematic treatment comparable to its user-friendly design but more comprehensive, with complete specimen documentation

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