Coastal Marine Ecosystems of Latin America
Coastal and marine ecosystems, some severely degraded, other still pristine, control rich resources of inshore environments and coastal seas of Latin America's Pacific and Atlantic margins. Conflicts between the needs of the region's nations and diminishi
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Edited by M.M. Caldwell, Logan, USA G. Heldmaier, Marburg, Germany O.L. Lange, Wtirzburg, Germany H.A. Mooney, Stanford, USA E.-D. Schulze, Jena, Germany U. Sommer, Kiel, Germany
Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg GmbH
U. Seeliger
B. Kjerfve (Eds.)
Coastal Marine Ecosystems of Latin America
With 69 Figures and 6 Tables
Springer
Dr. Ulrich Seeliger Universidade do Rio Grande Depto. de Oceanografia Av. Italia km 8 96201-900 Rio Grande, RS Brazii Dr. Bjorn Kjerfve University of South Carolina Marine Science Program Department of Geological Sciences Earth and Water Sciences Building 508 a Columbia, SC 29208 USA
ISSN 0070-8356
ISBN 978-3-642-08657-1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data. Coastal marine ecosystems of Latin America / U. Seeliger, B. Kjerfve (eds.) p. cm. - (Ecological studies; v. 144) Includes bibliographical references (p.). ISBN 978-3-642-08657-1 ISBN 978-3-662-04482-7 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-3-662-04482-7 1. Coastal ecology-Latin America. 1. Seeliger, U. (Ulrich), 1944-11. Kjerfve, Bjorn, 1944- 111. Ser ies QH 106.5 .C597 2000 577.5'I'098-dc21
00-044015
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Preface
The Pacific and Atlantic margins of Central and South America extend for more than 50,000 km between cold polar and tropical climatic zones, encompassing a great diversity of geographically extensive and functionally significant coastal and marine ecosystems. These ecosystems decisively control the rich resources of inshore environments and coastal seas, often far beyond their boundaries. Early European colonizers tapped natural resources initially without harm to the environment, however, a seemingly limitless resource potential stimulated ever increasing exploitation. By the end of the 19th century, long stretches of coastline with major settlements had already undergone significant changes. Owing to unreasonable demands of society, this si
