Periphyton: ecology, exploitation and management

Abstract

This book contains 18 chapters and provides an international review of periphyton ecology, exploitation and management. The ecological aspect focuses on periphyton structure and function in natural systems while the exploitation aspect covers its nutritive qualities and utilization by organisms, particularly in agriculture. The management aspect considers the use of periphyton for increasing aquatic production and its effects on water quality and animal health in culture systems. Topics covered include: periphyton and aquatic production; periphyton structure, diversity and colonization; periphyton dynamics and influencing factors; periphyton in the aquatic ecosystem and food webs; periphyton in freshwater lakes and wetlands; utilization of periphyton for fish production in ponds; adaptation to feeding in herbivorous fish; traditional brush park fisheries in natural waters; periphyton as biological indicators in managed aquatic ecosystems; effect of periphyton on water quality; similarities between microbial and periphytic biofilms in aquaculture systems; periphyton-based pond polyculture; research of periphyton-based aquaculture in India; periphyton-based cage aquaculture; utility of added substrates in shrimp culture; importance of periphyton in abalone culture; periphyton-based aquaculture in Asia; and knowledge gaps and directions for future research in the main aspects discussed in the book.