Unjustifiably Ignored: Reflections on the Role of Benthos in Marine Ecosystems

摘要: The benthos is not highly regarded by most marine biologists. As a consequence, the in past funds have gone into pelagic research, despite fact that has several properties which render its investigation particularly rewarding. It far richer species than water column. In addition due to comparatively low mobility and longevity of many organisms gives relative persistent assemblages, behtos more suited for monitoring environmental conditions ephemeral associations characterize certain body. However, on rare occasions benthic research was included major international programmes, this usually justified role as temporary or final store material sedimenting from