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UNE researcher launches an ocean of knowledge

May 01, 2006

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of New England (UNE), Professor Alan Pettigrew, launched two books by Emeritus Professor Klaus Rohde and released an ocean of knowledge into the world . Both books break new ground and are certain to prove invaluable to scientific circles and the general public, locally and worldwide. The importance and relevance of the works, “Marine Parasitology” published jointly by CSIRO Publishing Melbourne and CABI Oxford, and “Nonequilibrium Ecology” published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, to scientists and the general public are clear.

“Marine Parasitology” is of great importance for its practical applications. According to Professor Rohde, the aquaculture sector accounts for $55 billion of the global economy and marine parasites can have enormous economic impact, leading to huge financial losses. Many parasites also have medical importance. All such species are discussed in detail, describing symptoms, routes of infection and how to avoid infections. “Marine Parasitology” is the first truly comprehensive text on the subject, covering the latest existing knowledge in the area of marine parasites. As editor, Professor Rohde coordinated a team of 75 contributors from around the world, all top experts in their fields. It is a tightly structured textbook, spanning all aspects of marine parasitology.

“The text is aimed at researchers and students in the fields of marine biology, aquaculture, marine parasitology, general parasitology, invertebrate zoology, zoogeography and ecology. The text will be of great use to postgraduate students, with the emphasis on cutting-edge research, providing a stimulating guide for future research,” he said.

The first review of the book, by one of the leading experts in the field, contains the following statements: “There is no similar text that covers as broad a spectrum of marine parasitology, in such depth as this”. And: “the book will become a standard text, stimulating future work in the field not only of students recently attracted to marine parasite research but also of established scientists. At present, when most scientists studying marine parasites are specialised in their field of research and cannot be equally proficient in other directions, even for them the book will be an invaluable source of information. However, the book may find its place on the shelf of every biologist who likes the intricacies and charms of organisms adapted to symbiotic existence in the immense and rich realms of marine life”.

“The crucial need for comprehensive understanding and research into marine parasites was demonstrated by the 2004 economic devastation that rocked the oyster farming industry on the Hawkesbury River in NSW. The agent of the QX disease is a protistan parasite, and it led to the demise of Sydney rock oyster farming on the Hawkesbury River, destroying nearly a century of commercial endeavour. In total, QX affected at least 23 oyster farms, and the wake-up call concerning the crucial importance of marine parasitology rang clear.

In his “Nonequilibrium Ecology”, Professor Rohde has used his insight and understanding of marine parasites, as well as detailed reviews of work on the population and community ecology of a wide variety of animals and plants, to cast doubt on the prevailing view that natural systems are typically in a “balance”, that is, in an “equilibrium”. Balanced systems exist, but almost as a rule, natural systems are hardly ever in equilibrium. This applies to tropical rainforests, kangaroo populations, parasites, coral reefs, to mention only a few of those discussed. Causes of these “nonequilibria” are environmental disturbances and a largely empty “niche space”. In other words, contrary to the established wisdom that resources are usually exhausted by animals and plants, leading to a strong competition for these resources, they very often are not even close to exhaustion. - An important aspect discussed in the book is past and present mass extinctions, including those due to human activities, leading to nonequilibria. There is little doubt that global warming is occurring, and there is little doubt that this and human impact leading to habitat degradation and activities directly leading to extinction have caused large-scale reductions of plant and animal diversity in many parts of the world, including Australia. This trend will accelerate if steps are not taken to stop the disaster.

The 'Nonequilibrium Ecology” book will be of great importance to everybody interested in questions of ecology, evolution and conservation. It is part of a series, and indeed one of the first, published by Cambridge University Press on “Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation”.

UNE Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan Pettigrew heaped high praise upon Professor Rohde as he officially launched the books. “These two books are an outstanding achievement, a testament to your skill and intellect,” he said

“Interest in this book will be widespread,” concluded Professor Pettigrew.

For further information please contact John kauter on: (02) 6773 2779, or visit the websites for the books:
Nonequilibrium Ecology: http://www.cambridge.org/9780521674553
Marine Parasitology: http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/5045.htm

Posted by Gary Fry at May 1, 2006 10:19 AM