Book Description

Seagrasses occur in coastal zones throughout the world in the areas of marine habitats that are most heavily influenced by humans. Despite a growing awareness of the importance of these plants, a full appreciation of their role in coastal ecosystems has yet to be reached. This book provides an entry point for those wishing to learn about seagrass ecology and provides a broad overview of the present state of knowledge. The volume discusses the recent progress in research and current research foci, complemented by extensive literature references to guide the reader to more detailed studies. This book will be valuable to students of marine biology wishing to specialize in this area and to established researchers wanting to enter the field. In addition, it will provide an excellent reference for those involved in the management and conservation of coastal areas that harbor seagrasses. ... Read more

Amazon.com

From Leonardo da Vinci's recipe for imitation pearls to the derring-do of deep-sea pearl divers, Pearls: A Natural History delves into virtually every aspect of the gemstones that have been prized since ancient times for their luster and purity. The fascination of this book--which accompanies an exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History in New York through April 14, 2002--is the way it effortlessly combines scientific, historical, cultural, and practical information. Key topics include different species of marine and freshwater mollusks, the history of perliculture and ecological issues affecting pearl production. The more than 200 photographs include reproductions of spectacular objects ranging from a 16th-century Russian icon of the Madonna and child encrusted in freshwater pearls to an early-20th-century brooch in which lozenge-shaped Mississippi River pearls create the opulent blossoms of a diamond-stemmed flower. Solid information, intriguing trivia, and inviting design give this book a broad appeal. --Cathy Curtis ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Most excellent information, but...
This book is quite thorough, as mentioned in the other reviews. The "but" is major, though.... The type font is VERY DIFFICULT on the eyes. I absolutely love pearls, drool over them, even. I gobble up any information on them. If the GIA offers a specialization in them, I will get it. But the lines in this font are so thin, and the size is so tight and small, I haven't been able to finish a fourth of the book, and I've had it over a year!

Every time I try to read it, I have to put it down after only a few pages. By the way, my vision is great, corrected to better than 20/20. Perhaps my copy (bought at the Metropolitan Museum of Art store) was printed when the ink source was running low...

contains everything you could want to know
This is an excellent, well illustrated book with everything you could want to know about pearls - how they occur naturally, the biology of this, how they are induced artificially ( cultured pearls), how they are faked, the optics of their appearance and how they have shaped history and , of course, pearl jewellery.

The hard bits are explained without jargon, in intelligeable words but without losing detail.

Pearls before swine...
This truly is a history book, written in a very accessable style with lots of great photos and illustrations. If there's anything else to know about pearls then I suspect it might just about fill up the back of a postage stamp with room to spare. A great resource for amateurs and professionals alike; I thoroughly enjoyed it and it's well worth the money. ... Read more

Book Description

Pacific salmon inhabit a vast ecosystem that encompasses the rivers within and the ocean between coastal countries. From steep, cold snowmelt streams to major tributaries, from estuaries to the deep ocean, the range of Pacific salmon includes the Tachia River in Taiwan, the permafrost zone of Chukotka that flows to the Chukchi Sea, the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean between Japan and California, the streams and rivers of the Yukon Territory and British Columbia, and the myriad waterways in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California, as far south as Rio Santo Domingo in Baja California.
The North Pacific Rim nations--the United States, Canada, Russia, Japan, China, and the Koreas--enjoy vastly different economic, ecological, and cultural relationships with salmon and, until now, the types of data available to assess the abundance and biodiversity of these fish were almost as varied as the scientists who collect them. Atlas of Pacific Salmon is the first book to apply a common, newly calibrated yardstick to measure, across this broad ecosystem, the state of Pacific salmon, which have suffered precipitous declines in abundance and diversity in recent decades.
The only map-based assessment of distribution and risk of extinction for seven species of Pacific salmon at one consistent scale, under one authorship, the Atlas is the result of five years' work by Xanthippe Augerot and other foremost experts in the field. Using state-of-the-art GIS mapping tools, this book offers a multidimensional view of Pacific salmon populations from a watershed perspective, through the natural boundaries in which the fish migrate, spawn, and mature. More than three dozen stunning full-page maps overlay the human, climatic, geological, and environmental impacts on salmon populations. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (7)

the best of the lakes!
I am (like many of those that have written reviews) a native Michigander. However, I am now living in upstate New York, which despite being part of the Great Lakes lacks the appreciation for the lakes that midwesterners have. This book is a must read for anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to grow up surrounded by the greatest natural wonder in the world. This book highlights not only the natural history of the lakes, but the social and environmental legacy of humankind in the lakes. For those who were lucky enough to spend time sailing, swimming, hiking, and otherwise enjoying the Great Lakes, this book will sweep you back in time to the lazy summers of youth (or retirement, as the case may be!) and remind you of why you love the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes Truly are a Treasure
This book captures the heart of the Great Lakes and all the beauty that is found in and around them. It gives a wonderful detail of the geologic history of the lakes and the landscape around them. The author has a true appreciation for these living lakes and evokes that throughout his writing. If you live around the Great Lakes region, you will gain a new appreciation for how lucky we are to be by them and a new sense of desire to protect them. I used excerpts from this book to teach a high school earth science class when studying the hydrosphere and meterology. I recommend this book to any naturalist, Great Lakes region residence, or for anyone who wants to know why the largest source of fresh water on the planet is worth saving and preserving.

The Living Great Lakes
As I'm sure it is with many of the people that read this book, I grew up and live around the Great Lakes. My life has been sent sailing and fishing Lake Michigan and its tributaries. Jerry Dennis' book is a must read for anyone interested in the Great Lakes and what they mean to both the region's social and natural history. It's a pleasure to read all the factual tidbit's about these natural gifts carefully assembled together into a book. Jerry is not a writer that leaves you breathless with either his imagery or the depth of his prose. He has no need to. His straight forward style and knowledge of nature and science keeps you rolling along with him. He's like the smart and warm uncle whose conversations late into the night you've always cherished. Read this before planning your sailing or motoring trip through the Great Lakes and Erie Canal. It'll make you set a date for your trip instead of just thinking about it.

The Lakes Live
This book is a beauty. I suggest that after you receive it, you buy a couple bottles of strong French-Canadian beer (La Fin Du Monde, for example) throw in a Classical CD on repeat and start flipping pages. On a rainy day here in San Francisco, where I am now, I can feel myself being transported to the most mystical place I have yet to visit--after seeing nearly all of the U.S., Europe, and Asia--nothing compares to a sunset on Lake Michigan, a snowstorm on Lake Superior, or a sunrise on Lake Huron.

Couldn't put it down!
Having lived amongst the Great Lakes my entire life, I thought I knew so much. I was wrong. This book was almost impossible to put down. It is a great mix of science, ecology, history, and personal experience. Many books about the Great Lakes get bogged down in too much of just one subject area, unlike this book. Positively fascinating. No lie. ... Read more

Book Description

Did you know that sea turtles in the Atlantic Ocean grow to a larger size than those in the Pacific Ocean? Or that a mass nesting of sea turtles can consist of as many as half a million creatures? Did you know that sea turtles spend the majority of their time submerged? These are just a few of the interesting facts you'll find in"Sea Turtles of the World"

Sea turtles have existed for more than 210 million years, surviving two waves of mass extinction. Unfortunately, many sea turtles are still threatened. "Sea Turtles of the World" focuses on the efforts to save these prehistoric-looking reptiles, and provides an in-depth look at their natural history.

Join author and photographer Doug Perrine as he guides you through the fascinating life-cycle of sea turtles; from their harrowing dash from the nest to the ocean as vulnerable hatchlings through the many years spent at sea during maturation; from sexual maturity and reproduction, to migration. Perrine also describes the evolution of the sea turtle, its anatomy, what led to its endangerment, and the attempts to save it.

Detailed descriptions of the Green Sea Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Olive Ridley Turtle, Kemp's Ridley Turtle, Australian Flatback Turtle, and the Leatherback Turtle are included. Perrine also provides information on the best land and water spots to watch sea turtles. Incredible photography depicts sea turtles at home in their underwater environments. ... Read more

Book Description

In the past few years rapid progress has been made regarding our understanding of one of the dominant phytoplankton groups of the world's oceans: the coccolithophores. Among other initiatives, the EU-funded TMR network CODENET (Coccolithophores Evolutionary Biodiversity and Ecology Network) has provided new results and insights. These and many other findings are reviewed and synthesized in a number of individual chapters which focus on coccolithophore biology (molecular to cellular), ecology (experimental and in the ocean), evolutionary phylogeny and its impact on current and past global changes. Coccolithophores are emerging as a prime model for interdisciplinary global change research due to their great abundance, wide distribution and exemplary geological record. The results presented in this book address the fundamental question of the interaction between the biota and the environment at various temporal and spatial scales. ... Read more

Book Description

Presents an entertaining and authoritative look into the little-known world of jellies. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The deep sea has long been likened to a terrestrial desert. In some ways the analogy is useful, writes marine biologist Cindy Lee Van Dover, for the oceanic floor, like many arid regions of the earth, is low in biomass. She adds, "What life there is, though, is remarkably diverse," sometimes numbering hundreds of species in a single square meter of mud.

That deep-sea diversity is nowhere more pronounced than in the thermal vents that often occur where tectonic plates meet, marked by great lava fields and even active volcanoes (three-quarters of which are underwater). Located, among other places, along the great mountain ridges of the Laurentian Abyss and the Marianas Trench, these vents harbor strange creatures found nowhere else--giant clams and mussels, for example, and 2-meter-long "tubeworms" whose internal organs house sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. Discovered only in 1977, these hydrothermal vents, which vary markedly from ocean to ocean, have excited much attention among researchers. Some scholars now believe that life originated in these fiery environments, which have yielded relict species of barnacles, crinoids, and mollusks hitherto known only from the fossil record.

Examining the ecology and geochemistry of the planet's deep-sea vent systems, Van Dover presents a wide-ranging, interdisciplinary, and highly accessible survey of these mysterious places. --Gregory McNamee ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Heir to Galileo
I had the pleasure of sailing with Cindy van Dover during 1985's Argo-RISE expedition to the Galapagos Rift. She probably recalls that I spent much of that oceanographic expedition annoying everyone with my overly-enthisiastic babble about what was then perceived as every oceanographer's chief competition for funding - the space program. Even under threats that if I didn't stop, I might end up "sleeping with the fishes," I could not stop talking about Valkyrie rockets and the moons of Jupiter.

Cindy's hydrothermal vents have turned out to be much more important than most people realize. Sub-surface, vent-sustained seas have been all but confirmed under the ice of Jupiter's moons Europa and Ganymede. They probably also reside inside Saturn's Enceladus and Titan, and they are suspected under Callisto and Mars. Looking outward from our Earth, it now appears that most life in the universe exists near deep ocean vents, and that worlds with their habitable zones on the outside are so rare as to make we surface dwellers a galactic minority, if not downright freakish.

This book is simply the most detailed single overview yet produced on what history may ultimately regard as one of biology's (and astrobiology's) most important discoveries - which makes Cindy van Dover more akin to Galileo than to William Beebe or Sylvia Earle. Cindy was partly responsible for turning my attention down from space, for more than a decade, and into more "earthy" subjects such as archaeology. I have to apologize to her though, for that little brawl I almost caused before the expedition; what a way to learn never, never to get so excited about submersibles and robot probes that I shout, in a diner full of non-oceanographer teamsters and lumber jacks, "I can't wait to go down on ALVIN!"

An excellent, in depth and well written text
This book rates along with the standard texts by Marshall, Herring and Tyler that should be on the shelves of anyone interested in the biology of the deep sea. It brings the disparate biological, geological and biochemical hydrothermal vent literature together brilliantly. My only criticisms of the text are a lack of attention to the potentially damaging effects of scientific investigations on hydrothermal vents and propogation of the myth that deep-sea shrimps are able to see black-body radiation. ... Read more

Book Description

The ultimate guide to the enthralling world of macro diving, this volume describes in full detail 600 different Indo-Pacific marine species, focusing on those found in the South China, Sulu and Sulawesi seas.From colorful nudibranchs to cleaner shrimps and from exceptionally rare cuttlefish to hundreds of spectacular fish species, each card features a complete insight on distribution, habitat, size, life habits and U/W photo tips.

Illustrated with more than 800 extraordinary color photographs and written in a clear, concise, informative style, this book is the field guide of choice for all serious macro divers from the Maldives to Ausralia. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A SURE WINNER WITH MUCK DIVERS AND CRITTER LOVERS
This is a spectacular book, and a very useful one for every self-respecting Indo-Pacific muck diver and macro critter lover. For ANY diver, in fact. On the cover it curiously says "Underwater Malaysia" But the inside actually covers a much broader area, from the Eastern Indian Ocean to the Western Pacific, so it's really helpful also if you're diving Thailand, Indonesia, Borneo, the Philippines, PNG or even parts of Australia. I believe this is the first diving ID guidebook entirely dedicated to small Indo-Pacific reef animals (ie those incredibly colorful clownfish, gobies, cleaner shrimps, nudibranchs and the like) - and what a winner it is! What makes it unique for me is the number of rare reef species featured and the amazing color photographs. I discovered a lot of new interesting facts reading the species' descriptions, which are very informative, pleasantly written and often quite amusing, and the reproduction quality of the photos is, wow!, absolutely stunning. Some of the critters (look at those unbelievable flamboyant cuttlefish or the mating mandarinfish) seem to be about to jump out of the page! As guidebooks go, this one is a bit heavier than one would expect, but it is also quite small and easy to carry around on a boat or in a dive bag, and despite being a paperback and not a hardcover the binding looks like it will be able to take quite a beating (travelling scuba divers will know what I'm talking about here). I'm sure as an identification guide this great book can be equally useful to the marine biologist and the advanced aquarist, but as a whole it's obviously geared towards those actually diving and taking photographs in tropical waters. OK, all this does not come real cheap - but in my opinion, considering the quality of the photos and the huge amount of information in it, this book is worth its price to the last dime.

THE BIBLE OF MUCK DIVING!
I bought this book a few weeks ago while on a diving trip to Borneo and immediately fell in love with it. This is the guidebook every discerning macro diver has been waiting for! After a long introduction and a funny, informative chapter on "the fine art of macrophotography" the authors describe in full detail more than 600 different marine species, ranging from invertebrates (nudibranchs, crustaceans and mollusks) to small and not-so-small fish. Every species entry features full, first-hand information on size, habitat, geographical range and life habits, and the book is chock-full with hundreds of absolutely stunning color pictures of the critters. Despite its restrictive title, the contents are in fact perfectly useful for any Indo-Pacific dive site, ranging from the Maldives to Papua New Guinea and Northern Australia. Some of the animals described are absolutely weird and are a fascinating first even for seasoned muck divers like myself. I cannot have enough praise for this book - it is an absolute must for any serious muck diver or photographer, and it fills to perfection an important void in the diving guidebooks panorama. It's also quite compact and not too expensive. From now on I won't take another dive trip without taking it along - bravo! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A practical guide - without practises
A great book concerning the subject on how to stock your aquarium, but - more information on what and how to feed the corals, how to insure that they grow etc. would have been helpful. Use it as an encyclopedia and a stocking guide, these purposes the books fulfill brilliantly.

Fabulous and informative
This book was an amazing and very helpful guide to corals. Anyone who is need of help with this often troublesome hobby will be delighted at the help they recieve. It gives very specific, worthwile information, and is very usefull. I'd recomend this to any type of aquariast, and even those people who are just curious. Enjoy...

Quite simply, the quickest, easiest-to-use reference guide
I've found this book to be, quite simply, the best, easiest-to-use reference guide for quickly identifying and getting essential information -FAST!- about most of the corals you'll find offered for sale in your local fish shops, and rank it right up there with Scott W. Michael's book "Marine Fishes, 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species" as the other must-have buying/reference guide for the saltwater aquarist. With its beautiful pictures, "A Practical Guide to Corals..." will also be an excellent addition to any coffee table!

Recommended
This is one of the best books that I have seen on the description and care of the most common corals for the reef aquarium. It gives information on each coral such as Common name, Scientific name, Lighting needs, Water flow, Aggressiveness and Difficulty of care. This is not a book on "how to" setup a reef tank book but an excellent reference guide on corals and the proper care of these animals. Many great pictures and short but very informative descriptions make this a must have to the Reefkeeper. By the way, Eric Borneman (a.k.a. Eric Hugo) is one of the best known most knowledgable contributors on the Internet and reefkeeping Mail and Usenet Groups.

Beginner Guide
A good starter guide for the novice reefer.I found lots of basic information,all care charts were to generalized.Good reading for identification yet lacks Big Time on care of each specific group. Look for the new release in March 2001 for hopefully a more detailed read. ... Read more

Book Description

The orca, also known as the killer whale, is one of the most intriguing and mysterious animals in the world. This lavishly illustrated portrait of this almost mythical sea mammal offers visions of the orca throughout the ages and across cultures, describing its hunting techniques and refined sonar and communication abilities. Full-color photographs capture whales breaching, playing, hunting, and caring for their young. The book also discusses the ethics of captivity and the environmental threats to whale populations. A foreword by internationally acclaimed scientist and environmentalist David Suzuki is included. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

over-all an excellent book
I was very dissapointed by David Suzuki and his biased view-points about killer whales and society. However the rest of the book, makes up for a sour start

It's mad!
I reckon it's the best i've ever seen, MAD ... Read more

Product Description

Jacques Cousteau's underwater adventures. With black and white photographs throughout the book ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Silent World
If you grew up watching the Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau one night a week, you must read this book by Mr. Cousteau. I read the first chapter of this delightful little book in a diving collection and was instantly drawn to Cousteau's narrating style. Modest and touched with humor, he describes the creation of the aqualung (scuba) and his early exploits with it. Early photos of underwater creatures are amazing. My copy is from the late 1950s and I hold it carefully. It is a physical and figurative jewel to me.

An influence
I first read this book when I was about 15. I begged my mother to sign me up for a SCUBA class shortly after and I am still diving 25 years later. I have re-read it about 3 times since then and still keep a copy on my shelf. There is still something very captivating about the early days of diving and Cousteau's descriptions of the silent world. The explorers in his book indulged in a pioneering activity under the nose of the occupying Nazi regime and set in motion the evolution of underwater adventure that millions enjoy today.

The Silent World is easy and enjoyable to read. Most of the photographs are hard to see compared with the vast amount of underwater shots available today. However, when you consider the time period these photos were taken combined with the daring of these early pioneers, you can't help but be impressed.

This book produced an enjoyable influence on my life and I am sure it will on anyone willing to learn about the early history of underwater exploration.

Early account of the development of the aqua lung
This griping tale of the early period of under water exploration begins in late WW II and is set of the most part in the south of France and Mediterranean Sea. Most clearly it is not a NOVEL (see previous review). In it you will find Jacques' characteristic outlook in the germination stages. Especially interesting to observe is the beginnings of environmenal concerns in his misc. comments about mans impact on the health of the Mediterranean Sea. There are accounts of the effects of Coral dredging and drag netting clearing documenting the destructiveness of these technques coupled with descriptions of his own crew on his aboard the French Naval vessel he commanded harpooning of sea mammals for questionable "scientific" experiments.

All in all it is a good read for individuals interested in the history of exploration of new worlds by this sensitive innovative explorer. Not to be missed are the numerious accounts of early ship wreck exploration. My copy was published in 1953 and includes some of the earliest published color underwater shots. Highly recommended.

An amazing true story of heroes exploring blue space.
An adventure of heroic proportions. How mankind began the exploration of the underwater world and how Captain Cousteau and his team of aquanauts undertook a mission on the scale of the Mercury Seven Astronauts. Told by the men who went through the triumphs and the ordeals. This novel will provide a new understanding of how it all came about for those who scuba dive today. Some of Cousteau's team died in their brave efforts to investigate the mysteries of the deep for the rest of the world to see. Contains photographs of the liquid world taken with the first underwater cameras. ... Read more

Book Description

One of Publishers Weekly's Best Books of 1998, and acclaimed as "a sparkling work of natural history. . . charming, grandly entertaining."

The most mysterious and elusive of all sea creatures, the giant squid--at least sixty feet long and weighing nearly a ton--is also one of the largest. Yet for all its magnificent size and threatening undersea presence, Architeuthis has remained a mystery. Until now.

In this marvelous and beautifully illustrated book, marine biologist, explorer, and artist Richard Ellis presents all that is known about the giant squid. Delving into myth, literature, popular culture, and science, he brings readers face to face with this remarkable creature. He also provides a thorough, compelling study of what is known and what is still to be discovered about this exotic animal that has never been studied alive. Interweaving his engrossing narrative with a wealth of fascinating illustrations and photographs, Ellis gives us the first comprehensive history of the only living creature that can truly be called a "sea monster."

* A Main Selection of the Newbridge Natural Science Book Club

"High-grade intellectual entertainment." --The Washington Post Book World

"Richard Ellis uses his exceptional gifts in images and words to evoke the wonder and mystery of the sea. The giant squid still reigns in that part of nature beyond human reach."--E. O. Wilson ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Didn't hold my interest
Before I start, let me point out that I've made several valiant attempts to read Ellis' books. I own "Imagining Atlantis" and recently lent out the one on sea monsters (the name escapes me). Based on the subject matter of each book, I feel like I should thoroughly enjoy reading them. These are the books I always imagine myself diving into and only coming up once in a great while for the bare necessities (food, shelter, sleep). Why oh why is it that I struggle through these books? I pick them up, read a few pages, and then find my mind wandering.

"Search for the Giant Squid" was, unfortunately, no exception. While the topic sounds fascinating, there is something in the way that Ellis presents it that is downright uninspiring. Now and again there were some areas that held my interest...but I was bored to tears when the book delved into squid researchers of the past. Understandably, there isn't a whole lot of solid information about Architeuthis, at least not enough to fill an entire book. So it makes sense that Ellis had to veer off the main topic a bit to flesh out the rest of the story. But it all felt a bit like a patchwork quilt at times and not very cohesive/coherent. To top it off, Ellis has a tendency to throw in a LOT of quotes and footnotes, making it difficult to read a single page without having to stop several times along the way.

All in all, the idea behind this book was a good one...but for whatever reason the book itself did not capture my interest as much as I expected.

a modern marvel and masterpiece!!!
this is quit easily one of the best books ever written! squids! what more can be said! smashingly brilliant! a must read. if you love squids as much as me (and i know you do), then you must purchase several copies of this magnificient tome.<br />

Oh, squid, oh squid...
I would have enjoyed the book had it been a simple narrative of the hunt for the giant squid or merely a popular science digest of all Ellis knows about the animal. But Ellis has contributed to a *cultural* history of the giant squid, which is much more interesting to me than the other options.
Dry, perhaps, but not dull, the chapter on models is a welcome subject in this context. Museum display brings his focus once again to how our own attitudes, expectations and desires influence how we see the world. This emotional dynamic should be understood, no matter how unpopular it is - especially when dealing with the reflecting surface of a mysterious natural phenomenon. The search for the giant squid is more than anything else a story of human desire for the unattainable, and this is what gives the inscrutable animal much of its sublime, ghostly charm.
Ellis' writing is a bit schizoid in style, and he does repeat himself a bit, but I actually find the effect weirdly compelling. The many curiously casual passages on naming and specimin statistics read like the encyclopedic enthusiasm of sports commentary, and the repeating scenario of finding the limp animal washed up on one beach or another eventually gains an interesting psychic resonance of a different kind. I might agree that it isn't the most elegantly crafted book, but it is where the seams show that I enjoyed it the most.

"I said tentacles, not..."
A well done and impassioned piece of pop science. Upon completing this you can honestly claim to know more about the giant squid than your friends. There is something of a problem with the book in that, so little is known about Archeteuthis, it's tough to fill a book with something more than marine biology. This is evident in the "naming of the squid" chapter and the exceedingly dull chapter on giant squid models.

However, the subject matter and transparent excitement of the author win out. You know Ellis admires this beast, he shows it, but it does not detract from the science. Very worthwhile.

THE KRAKEN: MYTH OR REALITY ?
The scientific quest for the Kraken or Architeutis has been ongoing for more than 400 years now. The first giant squid was seen in 1545 in Malmö, Sweden and the last apparently in Tattori, Japan. But in mythology or oral history, we have to go back to Omer. The secrecy of this monster, more than 60 feet long, contributes to its success in classic literature and the movies (from Julius Verne to Holliwood). This book is a refreshing account that mixes marine biology with science fiction and can be read as any or both.... ... Read more

Book Description

This research level text focuses on the influence of climate variability on the marine ecosystems of the North Atlantic. The ecological impact of climate variability on population dynamics is addressed at the full range of trophic levels, from phytoplankton through zooplankton and fish to marine birds. Climate effects on biodiversity and community structure are also examined. 40 scientists from around the world synthesise what is currently known about how climate affects the ecological systems of the North Atlantic and then place these insights within a broader ecological perspective. Many of the general features of the North Atlantic region are also seen in other marine ecosystems as well as terrestrial and freshwater systems. The final section of the book makes these generalities more explicit, so as to stimulate communication and promote co-operation amongst researchers who may previously have worked in semi-isolation.The book comprises 5 main sections: background (general introduction, atmospheric and ocean climate of the North Atlantic, and modelling methodology), plankton populations (phytoplankton and zooplankton), fish and seabird populations, community ecology (phytoplankton, benthos and fish), and the final section consisting of six commentaries from scientists working in areas outside the North Atlantic marine sector. In order to enhance integration, a series of introductions link chapters and sections. Throughout the book, numerous examples highlight different aspects of ecology-climate interactions.They document recent progress and illustrate the challenges of trying to understand ecological processes and patterns in the light of climate variations. ... Read more

Book Description

The marine zooplankton is one of the most fascinating and diverse assemblages of animals known to biologists. This student manual provides a photographic guide to representative forms of the major groups from medusae and comb jellies to larval fish and squid. In it, only photographs of live and active organisms appear, giving a unique visual perspective. In this new edition, the authors have revised and updated the taxonomy and morphology so that combined with information on behavior and development, this book creates a vivid and essential reference. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best Zooplankton and Larvae Photo Album Around
You cannot live without this photo album if you observe inshore zooplankton. The black and white photographs are stunning, especially the Crustacea. It is a steal for the price. Every plankton lab. should have a copy. I particularly liked the ovigerous Evadne.

An good book for an overview
I've always wanted to know what I was seeing when I went to the beach - especially when I began to bring a microscope with me. This book is a good start for people who are curious about the environment around them and want to put names to what they see. ... Read more

Book Description

For hundreds of years, the New England cod fishery was one of the most productive in the world, with higher average annual landings than any comparable ocean area. But in the late 1980s, fish catches dropped precipitously, as the cod, flounder and other species that had long dominated the region seemed to lose their ability to recover from the massive annual harvests. Even today, with fishing sharply restricted, populations have not recovered. Largely overlooked in this disaster is the intriguing human and scientific puzzle that lies at its heart: an anguished, seemingly inexplicable conflict between government scientists and fishermen over how fish populations are assessed, which has led to bitter disputes and has crippled efforts to agree on catch restrictions. In The Great Gulf, author David Dobbs offers a fascinating and compelling look at both sides of the conflict. With great immediacy, he describes the history of the fisheries science in this most studied of oceans, and takes the reader on a series of forays over the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank on both fishing boats and research vessels. He introduces us to the challenges facing John Galbraith, Linda Despres, and Jay Burnett, passionate and dedicated scientists with the National Marine Fisheries Service who spend countless hours working to determine how many fish there really are, and to the dilemma of Dave Goethel, a whipsmart, conscientious fisherman with 20 years's experience who struggles to understand the complex world he works in while maintaining his livelihood in an age of increasing regulation. Dobbs paints the New England fishery problem in its full human and natural complexity, vividly portraying the vitality of an uncontrollable, ultimately unknowable sea and its strange, frightening, and beautiful creatures on the one hand, and on the other, the smart, irrepressible, unpredictable people who work there with great joy and humor, refusing to surrender to the many reasons for despair or cynicism. For anyone who read Cod or The Perfect Storm, this book offers the next chapter of the story-how today's fishers and fisheries scientists are grappling with the collapse of this fishery and trying to chart, amid uncertain waters, a course towards its restoration. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

GOOD READING ON FISH ECOLOGY
This is an interesting, and very readable study of the problems that have caused major declines within the New England groundfishing industry, and how 2 seperate, but equally interested parties can view a subject so differently. It presents the case in a middle of the road view and throws the blame for the problem at both groups. If you ever wondered why the price of fish has become prohibitive, or how a major eco-system can be destroted while everyone talks, this is a book well worth reading. It is written in language that non-scientitsts can understand and enjoy.

GOOD READING ON FISHING ECOLOGY
This is an interesting, and very readable study of the problems that have caused major declines within the New England groundfishing industry, and how 2 seperate, but equally interested parties can view a subject so differently. It presents the case in a middle of the road view and throws the blame for the problem at both groups. If you ever wondered why the price of fish has become prohibitive, or how a major eco-system can be destroted while everyone talks, this is a book well worth reading. It is written in language that non-scientitsts can understand and enjoy. ... Read more

Book Description

A textbook for one-semester sophomore-junior courses in marine biology.The author is among the most highly respected marine biologists, and he has taught marine ecology for over 20 years.The text gives an introduction to marine habitats and biodiversity, addressing the three major themes: 1) function, how organisms solve problems and the chemical and physical factors constraining the solutions, 2) biodiversity, and 3) ecology, the interaction of organisms with their environment.The text is full of many good examples and illustrative material.It is written in such a way as to capture the imagination of the beginning student.The book is organized into 3 sections; the first deals with the ocean and general ecological principles, the second with biological diversity and the different marine habitats, and the third with the impact of man on the ocean system. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Finally, a study of what really will "Save the Bay"
Chesapeake Bay Blues, a book that addresses the Bay as a political problem and reveals how the political process has worked against the interests of science, the public, and environmental advocates all at once. Author Howard Ernst provides a political roadmap for the future, suggesting how a different course of policy action is needed to "Save the Bay."[]

essential reading for those interested in the Bay
This book is a must-read for those concerned about the Chesapeake Bay and those interested in environmental politics. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

In this thoroughly updated third edition, the authors have provided a series of carefully designed and tested field and laboratory exercises that represent the full scope of limnology. In using this text, students will gain a solid foundation in this complex, multidisciplinary field of ecology as they explore the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of standing and running waters. Limnological Analyses, Third Edition illustrates accepted standard methods as well as modern metabolic and experimental approaches and their research applications.

Each exercise is preceded by an introductory section and concludes with questions for students as well as suggestions for further reading. As a textbook, Limnological Analyses, Third Edition is a highly structured, concise presentation with a research-oriented approach that openly invites active participation by students. ... Read more