Benthic bioturbation in the past, present and future

Herringshaw, Liam G. and Solan, Martin (2008) Benthic bioturbation in the past, present and future. Aquatic Biology, 2 (3), 201-205. (doi:10.3354/ab00051).

Abstract

Understanding how ecosystems function at present is critical to any assessment of how they functioned in the past and of how they will function in the future. The geological record provides the dataset by which previous periods of environmental change can be examined and their consequences assessed. Ecological research, particularly predictive studies of ecosystem functioning, should therefore consider both modern and ancient case studies. Integrating research on bioturbation (the mixing of sediment by living organisms) with studies of trace fossils (ichnology) can provide a wealth of new information for aquatic biologists, ecologists, sedimentologists and palaeontologists. Bioturbation studies enable quantification of the behaviour of benthic organisms, their impact upon the environment, and their response to environmental change. In sedimentary rocks, ichnology may be the only means of assessing the organisms and ecosystems of the past. However, as noted by Meysman et al. (2006, p. 688), there is often ‘a rather slow transfer of ideas’ between workers in the two fields. Our aim in this Theme Section is to illustrate some of the many interesting topics in current bioturbation research for both modern and ancient eras, stimulate cross-disciplinary discussion, and highlight potentially fruitful areas of collaboration.

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Contributors

Author: Martin Solan

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