Meiofauna: Anthropogenic impacts on hidden players in ecosystem

Abstract

AbstractCertain aspects of meiobenthos research are given detailed and comprehensive attention in Chapter 7 (Hidden players: meiofauna mediate ecosystem effects of anthropogenic Disturbances in the ocean) of the Springer publication ‘New Horizons in Meiobenthos Research; Profiles, Patterns and Potential’ (O. Giere & M. Schratzberger (Eds.). This book review is concerned solely with Chapter 7 which underlines the view that meiofaunal species play a very important part as hidden players in the impacts of anthropogenic disturbances in the ocean, an aspect justifiably arousing global concerns. The chapter constitutes a veritable compendium where much that was previously unsuspected in those ‘untouched reaches’, is revealed under the scrutiny of its many internationally known authors. Of its ten sections, eight deal consecutively with the impact of disturbances caused by anthropogenic activities such as bottom fishing, pollution from organic sources, hydrocarbons, oil and chemical impacts, invasive species and climate change, followed by a section on the resilience of the meiofauna to such disturbances and the scale of their responses, with a final section outlining a forward perspective for future research. In addition, Chapter 7 contains an extensive bibliography which itself constitutes an important reference resource for researchers.