That part of the Indian Ocean bordering Saudi Arabia is a rich mosaic of coastal and marine ecosystems, both natural and man-made. Among these are coral reefs, mangroves, tidal flats, seagrasses, and other hard and soft substrata. Some ecosystems are relatively simple, while others such as the coral reefs are highly complex and among the most diverse in the Indian Ocean. The region divides into several large, semi-enclosed water bodies whose different physical characteristics result in distinct habitats. The overall aridity, extremes of water temperature, and often very high salinities have produced some of the most extreme marine climates on Earth. This book summarizes the available information on the region, then reviews the processes shaping the various marine and coastal systems. It relates patterns in marine assemblages to the strong environmental gradients and biogeographic barriers in the region. Finally, the book considers the human dimension. Some of the world's poorest and richest nations border these seas, making diverse claims on fisheries and other natural resources. The 1991 Gulf War is only the most recent of a range of impacts affecting the region. Approaches for resolving the increasing resource use conflicts are described. This volume will be of immense value to research workers, students of marine biology, and environmental managers in general, as well as to those with a particular interest in this part of the world. One of the few published works on this unique and diverse region Serves as a basic introduction to the area Provides a detailed analysis of ecosystem function Discusses human pollution and its effects

Contributed articles.

Oceanographic and Marine Environmental Studies around the Arabian Peninsula presents studies on a range of topics related to the marine environment of the Red Sea and Arabian (Persian) Gulf. This book contains invited and peer-reviewed chapters from diverse researchers active in their respective fields. The chapters offer new data and include a comprehensive lists of references. Some of the main topics included in the book are pollution from heavy metals and petroleum, hydro-environmental characteristics of the seas, conservation of marine ecosystems, risk of climate change on the Red Sea region, and the mangrove environment. With new developments occurring in the coastal regions in recent decades, the book will be not only a helpful resource to researchers but also be a valuable reference for anyone curious about managing the marine and littoral environment of these two unique seas.

Contains 31 contributions presenting the results of recent decades' research on the extensive intertidal and inland saline flats of the Arabian Gulf Region, known colloquially as sabkhat. Only relatively recently acknowledged to be valuable ecosystems with research, development, and conservation value, sabkhat are thoroughly explored in this volume by biologists, geologists, archaeologists, ecologists, botanists, zoologists, and other researchers and scientists from many countries. The volume's 31 contributions are organized into three sections: distribution of sabkhat within the Arabian Peninsula and the adjacent countries (13); sabkha ecology (14); and sabkha land use and development (4). The book includes some fairly low-key b & w photographs, charts, and maps. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.

This book is the sixth and final volume in the Tasks for Vegetation Science book series, and it concludes the most comprehensive scientific documentation dealing with hypersaline ecosystems of the world.