Product Description
Kids go on a whale watch, dive for jelly animals, visit a salt marsh estuary--and they don't have to live near the ocean to set up their own salt-water aquarium or an environment for hermit crabs. Includes directions for making fish-print T-shirts. Part of the Children's School of Science series. Almost 200 color photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Kids getting their hands into science
The Real Kids Real Science books get to the heart of science for kids--at that age, they just want to get their hands in the dirt.These books take that desire and turn it into something educational that, if done right,will stay with them for the rest of their lives.I highly recommend them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Marine Biology: Environment, Diversity, and Ecology
This book is an excellent introduction to the science of marine biology specifically, and biology in general.It is written at the senior high school level and can be used as a stand alone or as a companion text.The writing style is particularly well suited to appeal to the young mind to create a desire for further study. ... Read more

Product Description
INTRODUCTION TO MARINE BIOLOGY distinguishes itself at the introductory text level by taking an ecological approach to the study of marine biology, by providing succinct coverage of key topics, and through the use of the best, most current illustrations and photos available. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Great Read, Interesting Topic
This is a great read and has interesting topics.The questions at the end of each chapter help you to evaluate what you read in a different manner.I enjoyed this book.

Just as requested
Everything about the purchase of this book went smoothly.Book arrived in a very timely matter and it was in good condition!

intro to Marine Biology
We were pleasantly surprised that we actually got what we ordered at a much reduced price as compared to other book stores.Thank you and we look forward to ordering again.

Marine Biology book
The book I ordered came as described a few days after it was ordered. Very pleased.

book purchase
I was very impressed with my recent purchase . Everything about the book exceeded my expectation including fast delivery . ... Read more

Product Description

Enter the delicate, complex world of underwater life through extraordinarily detailed, hand-drawn illustrations and newly updated text. The Marine Biology Coloring Book will serve as an excellent resource and guide.

• The process of coloring will focus your attention and leave a visual imprint on your memory.

• Details on the natural coloration of the plants and animals illustrated will help you create an accurate picture of the ocean world.

• The text provides a clear introduction to major marine environments as well as an examination of the lifestyles and interactions of the organisms that inhabit them.

• This expanded edition offers vital information on ocean currents and global weather, including an explanation of El Nino, the deep-sea realm, and the newest deep-sea diving research vessels.

Enjoy the process of creating your own beautiful, full-color reference while you explore a fascinating hidden world. Both the serious student of marine biology and the weekend beachcomber will gain a better understanding of ocean life by coloring The Marine Biology Coloring Book.

Customer Reviews (13)

From a college student to people with a budding interest in Marine Biology
Wonderful to leaf through, and covers a wide variety of topics. This book is more than a coloring book in that it gives a succinct, detailed, yet very easy to read information page with coloring instructions to go along with the material. The reading was better put than some of my textbooks for class and touches nearly the same amount of topics, from the biological perspective of Marine Bio. If the information proves too dull for a younger audience the pictures are very nicely rendered and detailed to color on their own. I highly recommend it to anyone who thinks they might be interested in marine life and is not too stuffy to enjoy a good color. ^_^

Very Helpful accent to your Marine Biology Class!
I took a Marine Biology class and this coloring book helped me learn the topics better than the actual text book!I am a visual learner and when you talk about layers and which animals are in each layer of sand, I will remember easier using this coloring book than I would reading it in a book.You learn about life cycles and reproduction cycles of animals and again the pictures and descriptions in this coloring book very much helped me learn better than the text book did.Plus, it is always fun to color!

wonderfully informative
I have used the Human Anatomy book in this series myself and decided to try the Marine Biology with my 7yo son for his homeschool science. He loves anything to do with the ocean. I love that there is a short one page reading to accompany each drawing. Not too much information, but enough to keep that spark of excitment alive. Then he can color a picture to reinforce what he learned. My only regret is that some of the drawings require more effort to do justice to the details than he is willing to put forth. This would not be a problem with an older child or adult. Great Book!

Coloring Textbooks provide an alternative way to learn
The Marine biology Coloring Book is a coloring textbook. It is a complete course on Marine biology that you can color in. Coloring provides a multisensory approach to learning which can enhance memorization. Coloring is fun and allows you to be creative, while helping you learn about a new topic. As a teacher who has used this book in my classroom, I would highly recommend it. Topics include marine ecology, rocky coastlines, coral reefs, biology, coloration, defense mechanisms, reproduction and taxonomy of fish, and various phyla of invertebrates. There are some that believe these books are too hard for young children. This is nonsense. Coloring books provide a pressure free way to learn. Who says a 5 year old cannot learn the names or body parts of a fish. On the other hand, there is a ton of information in here that is appropriate for all ages including college students. One need only use the information that is of interest to them and then enjoy coloring in the pictures! Besides the Marine Biology Coloring Book, I also recommend Anatomy Coloring Book, The (3rd Edition), The Botany Coloring Book and The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book.

Coloring & Learning go hand in hand
As the author of The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book and a school teacher, I know first hand, that coloring and learning go hand in hand. This book is great for all ages, younger children are challenged, older children and even college students are introduced to all types of marine ecosystems and their inhabitants. This book is complete, well written, educational and fun!I highly recommend this book! ... Read more

Product Description
Widely regarded as the most captivating, accessible, and comprehensive text for undergraduate marine biology courses, Jeffrey S. Levinton's Marine Biology: Function, Biodiversity, Ecology, Third Edition, examines marine biology from a unique global and evolutionary perspective. Written in a clear, conversational style, this highly acclaimed volume emphasizes the principles and processes that underlie--and unify--vastly different marine communities.

NEW TO THE THIRD EDITION


· Full-Color Format: Captures the vibrancy of marine environments in a stunning new full-color presentation. Features photographs from the world's finest marine biologists and more than sixty new line drawings. All color images are integrated directly into the body of the text.


· More Real-World Applications: Presents many new "Hot Topics in Marine Biology" essays, each highlighting new developments and real-world applications. Also includes engaging discussions of human impacts on oceans, fisheries, and global climate change.


· Current and Expanded Topics: Places students on the cutting-edge with the latest in marine biology research, including updated coverage of molecular biology, the coral reef crisis, deep sea biology, bioluminescence, polar oceans, remote sensing techniques, overfishing, microbiology, and ocean warming and acidification.


· Enhanced Pedagogy: Concludes each chapter with a bulleted "Chapter Summary"--an entirely new feature of this edition. "Going Deeper" text boxes provide students with opportunities for further exploration. Full-sentence summary statements begin each chapter section, keeping students focused on the "big picture" as they read.

COMPANION WEBSITE
Maintained by the author, this comprehensive tool provides a multitude of aids for students and instructors.
Student Resources


· "Marine Biology Explorations": An interactive tour that guides students through nine different marine habitats. Features more than 450 annotated photographs!


· News Updates: Recent breakthroughs and news from the field


· Extensive Web Links: Useful links to websites containing research literature and career information, as well as links to worldwide marine laboratory sites


· Summary and Review Aids (also available in the text)

Instructor Resources (available to adopters of the text and password-protected)


· Downloadable Electronic Images: All illustrations from the text available for lecture preparation


· PowerPoint Lecture Notes: More than 400 lecture notes slides, all organized by chapter


· Test Bank*: Approximately 400 questions--written by the author--in editable Microsoft Word files (*available only on the Instructor's Resource CD-ROM: contact your Oxford University Press sales representative for details) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

I think it's not original issue
When i get the book really dissapointed. Since the pages are not glossy paper and the cover does not have a hologram sticker, the book's originality is suspicious. Haven't look into yet but hope to be not dissapointed with the context too!

Marine Biology 101
I was disappointed in this book. It is basically a college level textbook, inclusive but dry. Not a book to inspire, rather one to cram from for your next exam ... Read more

Product Description
Biology of Marine Birds provides the only complete summary of information about marine birds ever published. It both summarizes and analyzes their breeding biology, ecology, taxonomy, evolution, fossil history, physiology, energetics, and conservation. The book covers four orders of marine birds: penguins (Sphenisciformes); albatross, shearwaters, petrels (Procellariiformes); pelicans, boobies, frigatebirds, tropicbirds, cormorants (Pelecaniformes); and gulls, terns, guillemots, auks (Charadriiformes - Families Laridae and Alcidae). Two summary chapters address the biology of shorebirds and wading birds and their lives in the marine environment.This comprehensive book contains numerous summary tables that give you exhaustive information on various aspects of their life histories, breeding biology, physiology and energetics, and demography. It also discusses research techniques and future research needed, providing a guide to ornithologists and students for research projects. Written by acknowledged experts in this field, Biology of Marine Birds is the ideal resource. The authors not only present known information, but provide new analyses and insights into marine bird biology. You will find no other book that covers all the major seabird groups and all the major topics with this depth of detail. Whether you are studying, researching, or managing marine environments, you will find yourself reaching for this resource repeatedly. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good book but it took a month for them to ship it.
I ordered this book on January 28, 2010, it finally got delivered to me on March 3, 2010. I called customer Amazon's customer service and they were nice but they were not able to get it delivered to me at an earlier date.
I bought this book for a class that i am taking and luckily i didn't need the book until later. ... Read more

Product Description
The new Ninth Edition of Introduction to the Biology of Marine Life has been revised to include coverage of recent advances in research and technology, as well as current trends and problems within the field of marine biology. Maintaining the student-friendly style of the previous edition, the Ninth Edition now includes information on marine viruses, marine fungi, estimating productivity from satellite images, problems faced by coral reefs, and much more. The authors have incorporated a completely update art package to enhance comprehension and reinforce key concepts; and new Research in Progress boxes have been included to encourage students to participate in the learning process. With its updated content, thorough coverage, and accessible teaching style, Introduction to the Biology of Marine Life is a user-friendly guide to marine biology for the non-major. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fun
I got this book because I absolutely adore Marine Biology. I have no taken a class yet, but plan to. This text book is extremely informative on it's own, and it has a neat website you can go to for chapter quizzes, articles that relate to each chapter, flash cards, and much much more! This text book is great if you're just getting into Marine Biology or you want to further your studies. I recommend this to anyone interested!

Highly recommended!
This is a very nice book when we marine biologists need a refresher, or as a starting guide to those who wish to become one! I'm a big fan of the 'Chapter Overviews' at the end of each section.

Not sure why it's nearly $100.00 for a paperback book, though. 0.o ... Read more

Product Description

Don't think a book can take you on the Ultimate Field Trip? Think again!

Imagine going on a week-long exploration of the Bay of Fundy, off the coast of Maine, to play with the puffins, sun with the seals, and get an up close look at what life is like underwater. One group of middle-school kids actually made the journey -- and this book allows you to join their field trip, without getting slimed by seaweed!

A fascinating firsthand account of the science of marine biology, this photographic expedition sheds new light on the amazing hidden world under the water. Come along for seven days of sailing, sea creatures, and science that you'll never forget. ... Read more

Product Description

The large amount of information on fish reproduction available is not always readily accessible to all interested parties. Written to appeal to aquaculturalists, conservation managers, and scientific researchers, Methods in Reproductive Aquaculture provides an overview of available techniques and addresses ways to improve depleted stocks of endangered fish and other species.

The book focuses on gamete quality and management, exploring new objectives and areas of application and research, and new tools to deal with some aspects in reproduction of aquatic species. It begins with an examination of basic methods and techniques for gamete extraction, mainly sperm collection and egg stripping in different species, then describes techniques of spawning stimulation in males and females. The volume then highlights sperm and egg quality evaluation and considers sperm analysis from a practical broodstock management point of view and in the selection of appropriate breeders. The book goes on to discuss techniques used for artificial fertilization and the procedures for obtaining modified offspring. It introduces cryopreservation procedures for sperm, oocytes, and embryos, then discusses the materials and facilities required for gamete preparation and freezing-thawing procedures. The book concludes with an extensive section detailing sperm cryopreservation protocols for fifty-six marine and freshwater species.

Unique in its focus on both marine and freshwater aquaculture of fishes, the book provides information on endangered, highly profitable species for aquaculture or fisheries and species with high potential in laboratory research. Presenting the available information in an easily understandable way, this is not merely a techniques book, but also a complete guide to fish reproduction, gamete quality, and management.

Product Description

Humans are terrestrial animals, and our capacity to see and understand the importance and vulnerability of life in the sea has trailed our growing ability to harm it. While conservation biologists are working to address environmental problems humans have created on land, loss of marine biodiversity, including extinctions and habitat degradation, has received much less attention. At the same time, marine sciences such as oceanography and fisheries biology have largely ignored issues of conservation.

Marine Conservation Biology brings together for the first time in a single volume leading experts from around the world to apply the lessons and thinking of conservation biology to marine issues. Contributors including James M. Acheson, Louis W. Botsford, James T. Carlton, Kristina Gjerde, Selina S. Heppell, Ransom A. Myers, Julia K. Parrish, Stephen R. Palumbi, and Daniel Pauly offer penetrating insights on the nature of marine biodiversity, what threatens it, and what humans can and must do to recover the biological integrity of the world's estuaries, coastal seas, and oceans.

Sections examine: distinctive aspects of marine populations and ecosystems; threats to marine biological diversity, singly and in combination; place-based management of marine ecosystems; the often-neglected human dimensions of marine conservation.

Marine Conservation Biology breaks new ground by creating the conceptual framework for the new field of marine conservation biology -- the science of protecting, recovering, and sustainably using the living sea. It synthesizes the latest knowledge and ideas from leading thinkers in disciplines ranging from larval biology to sociology, making it a must-read for research and teaching faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate and advanced undergraduate students.

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Addition to a Marine Ecologist/Biologists Library.
Best book I have come across to-date regarding conservation of marine biodiversity... Being a Marine ecologists means you always have to find the right book to use in teaching your students, and this book deals with many topics to be taught either on the graduate or postgraduate level. I highly recomend purchasing this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Marine sediments provide the largest habitat on planet earth, yet knowledge of the structure and function of their flora and fauna continues to be poorly described in current textbooks. This concise, readable introduction to benthic ecology builds upon the strengths of the previous edition but has been thoroughly revised throughout to incorporate the new technologies and methods that have allowed a rapid and ongoing development of the field. It explores the relationship between community structure and function, and the selection of global examples ensures an international appeal and relevance. The economic value of marine sediments increases daily, reflected in the text with a new emphasis on pollution, climate change, conservation, and management. This accessible textbook is suitable for both advanced undergraduate and graduate students who have had a general ecology course, but no further training in benthic ecology. It will also be of relevance and use to professional researchers and consultants in marine ecology and environmental science who seek a compact but comprehensive introduction to benthic ecology. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is the only manual of its kind with exercises that apply to the diverse marine habitats of North America. The manual meets the needs of any introductory marine biology student, from the non-major to the prospective major with a background in the biological sciences. Each unit includes a broad range of exercises, so that instructors using the manual can select the exercises that best match the needs of their introductory course. The manual is also unique in providing extensively illustrated identification keys for three of the major marine lifeforms, allowing students to identify and classify organisms within the invertebrates, plankton, and fishes. ... Read more

Product Description
There is now an increased awareness of the importance of polar regions in the Earth system, as well as their vulnerability to anthropogenic derived change, including of course global climate change.This new edition offers a concise but comprehensive introduction to polar ecology and has been thoroughly revised and updated throughout, providing expanded coverage of marine ecosystems and the impact of humans.It incorporates a detailed comparison of the Arctic and Antarctic systems, with a particular emphasis on the effects of climate change, and describes marine, freshwater, glacial, and terrestrial habitats.This breadth of coverage is unique in the polar biology literature.

As with other titles in the Biology of Habitats Series, particular emphasis is placed on the organisms that dominate these extreme environments although pollution, conservation and experimental aspects are also considered.This accessible text is suitable for both senior undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in polar ecology, often as part of a wider marine biology degree program.It will also be of value and use to the many professional ecologists and conservation biologists requiring a concise overview of the topic. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Not sure who this book is meant for
This book is a neat attempt at capturing some of the urban legends of marine biology as well as some of the other interesting marine minutae, spiced up with a tone of irreverence.While this is a noble goal, I would be very wary of giving this book to anyone untrained in marine biology who is beginning to become interested in the topic.For starters it is often factually inaccurate.Granted, Kaplan may be unaware of some of the advances in knowledge in the last decade, but some of the anecdotes and stories presented as truth are more urban legend than fact.In addition to needing a good editor (some of the chapters are nearly incoherent) it also needs a good fact checker.

Moreover, the general tone taken towards nature and science is one of freewheeling fun rather than a desire for respect or understanding. While the author may feel that attempts to understand the elegant and wonderful mechanisms underlying the sea are stuffy and boring, there is something to be said for having students go out into the field and make observations, design experiments, and really LOOK at nature, rather than have them attempt to grab fish, gobble down octopus tentacles, and generally tromp around merely creating lists of species.

Further, while Kaplan may have been trying to come across and amusing by sexing things up a bit (there is some truth in that this approach can grab students), it often quickly descends into the kind of almost unconscious sexism that is so often criticized in the sciences.I would NOT give this book to a young girl or woman aspiring to be a marine biologist, as it is certain to give her the wrong kind of message about the kinds of people in the field and the treatment she is to expect.

There are a variety of excellent popular books out there about the ocean, marine biologists (Log of the Sea of Cortez, Nature's Machines, etc.), and the crazy sex lives of animals (Dr. Tatiana's Sex Guide to All Creation).This is not one of them.I would recommend the aforementioned books, or any of the other excellent books or DVDs (The Blue Planet) about the underwater world and science and give this a pass.

Is there a marine biologist in the house?
When I heard that Kaplan had written a book, I wondered if the man could be captured by the printed page.No problem.His book immediately took me back to his wonderful marine biology class in Jamaica.His stories were always fascinating, and I am happy to see them recorded here.The reader can appreciate that he is a character and a wonderful educator.His knowledge has also inspired many to continue their studies of the conplexities found in the sea.Everyone interested in marine biology should read this book.There are so many surprises.Beautiful drawings.

Sex facts for 'sea' students except one bad chapter
Even if you already spend some time in the water and know something about the life there, Eugene Kaplan's essays about being a teacher will likely tell you something you didn't know -- or something you knew that isn't so.
For example, in "Debunking the Big Lie," Kaplan explains that the starfish does not "win" his battle with the oyster by tiring it out, so that the protective shells gape.
"All of this is a misrepresentation perpetrated on generations of students," writes Kaplan, who teaches at Hofstra University and at its marine laboratory in Jamaica.
It turns out, "it is unnecessary to pull the shells apart. <\q>.<\q>.<\q.> Invariably there is a fissure," through which the sea star squeezes its stomach, digesting the oyster within.
However, most of the lore in "Sensuous Seas" is about sex, rather like an underwater version of Olivia Judson's best-seller on evolution, "Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation."
Kaplan says he was driven to sex up his lectures in order to keep the attention of students. He was able to get away with this because most of them were invertebrates -- the sea creatures, not the students.
He is also big on field experience, and being one of his students must have been lots of fun and a little scary.
The late Sen. William Proxmire would have scorned the research into the mating behavior of the Malaysian prawn, but you never can tell. Hawaii aquaculturalists would have saved a lot of money had they known earlier why Malaysian prawns are impossible to raise to market size in captivity -- the dominant male in a tank exudes pheromones that keep all the others small. The fact that shoyu is an aphrodisiac for these prawns, once thought to be a breakthrough piece of aquacultural expertise, is now just a curiosity.
Wrapping up a half century of teaching and 31 fascinating chapters on the ocean's inhabitants (including the timely topic of stingray deaths), Kaplan reflects on the pedagogy of introducing complex subjects to naive students. "There is a conflict in the mind of every teacher as to how much 'knowledge' must be sacrificed in order to make a course interesting," he writes.
Unfortunately, Kaplan lets his alarmism get the better of him in this conflict in his chapter on corals. Corals are the "canaries in the coal mine," he assures us, warning that "global warming does exist" and that "present-day oceans average 2 degrees C. above past normal temperatures."
In a book aimed at naive readers, this comes close to professional malpractice.
First, there is no such thing as "past normal temperatures." Second, corals have hung around for hundreds of millions of years, most of them warmer than now.
Third, there is no scientific agreed measurement for coral bleaching, the signal "of the impending doom of many of the earth's less flexible organisms."
"Be forewarned," warns Kaplan. Yeah. That's still globaloney, no matter how you slice it.

Sensuous Seas: Prawnography at its best?
If Miss Jean Brodie was a marine biologist she would, after reading the first page, dismiss this book with its discussion of the attributes of 'Miss Nubile' and hormone laden young men as soft porn.In doing so she would miss out on a distillation of over 30 years experience from a committed, slightly eccentric educationalist and respected academic with a passion for tropical marine ecology.For anyone teaching biology or marine science this engagingly written book is a marvellous toolbox of anecdotes and examples that will stimulate even the most cynical of students.

Each chapter follows a roughly similar pattern with a lyrical initial paragraph and an anecdotal introduction to set the scene followed by a series of easily digestible sections on the same theme.The subject matter for each section, drawn from his years of experience on the field, ranges from the dangers of eating fugu (puffer fish) through to the disproportionate size of the humble barnacles penis.Through a colourful and often humorous approach to each topic, the reader is given a toe-hold grasp of some fairly chewy areas of biology (e.g. honest signalling, evolution, symbiosis, behaviour).

I showed this book to my mother-in-law (not a biologist) who was impressed by the ease with which she could understand the subjects and concepts explored.Having had her interest stimulated by the book she proceeded to bombard me with more questions - how I wish my own students would react similarly to my delivery!I will be using much of the material presented in Sensuous Seas to spice up my own lectures to marine biology undergraduates but this book will also be of interest to armchair and amateur field naturalists.

It's a strange world under the surface
From the bizarre to the macabre, nature's ingenuity knows only the bounds of evolutionary advantage.

A small, appetizing, cleaner fish waves to big, passing predators "advertising its services." The savage behemoth approaches, assumes an unthreatening stance and is cleaned of parasites by the smaller creature.

The Portuguese man `o war fish lives safe from its enemies among the poisonous tentacles of its namesake gasbag jellyfish ("no brain, no blood, no heart, no anus"). But the fish, which must dart out to feed, has never evolved an immunity to the man `o war's paralyzing venom other than its own agility.

Clownfish(remember Nemo?) mate for life and live among the poisonous tentacles of the sea anemone, paying for their safe refuge by feeding the anemone. "If the female dies, the male becomes a female and a new male joins her."

Sex change is pretty common in this eat and be eaten world. Even more efficient are the hermaphrodites, like the sea hares, who have both male and female equipment and mate in group circles.


A biologist with a half-century's experience, a professor and the author of nine books, Kaplan introduces each animal in this collection of essays on the mating and feeding habits of sea creatures with an anecdotal encounter. Many involve personal experience, often with his students, who quickly learn that the most flamboyantly colorful are often the most dangerous, like the red and white fringed fireworm which has hundreds of pretty poison barbs.

But few of these, not even the blue-ringed octopus whose bite kills in minutes, compare in horror with a small Amazonian catfish who swims up a human's urinary tract, extends its spines for secure placement and begins rapidly tearing at and consuming its victim's innards.

However, for pure unadulterated cruelty as a way of life nothing (at least in this book) matches a tiny, free-swimming barnacle larvae that takes up residence in a crab, turns it into a female if it happens to be male, consumes all flesh and organs not required to keep the crab alive, and then fills in the newly vacated space with its own tissue. The barnacle then extrudes sexual organs, which attract a couple of males who also take up residence in the crab. Thereafter, "endless hordes of larvae are released periodically" from the hapless host.

Kaplan aims- successfully - to entertain, amuse, shock and amaze readers while teaching. Describing the perilous lives of shrimp, fish, snails, worms and more, he shows how evolution provides the most efficient means for surviving long enough to reproduce. These involve some pretty ingenious designs.

Like the lettuce sea slug that basks in the sun on its blade of turtle grass. It consumes algae and conveys the green chloroplasts to the lacy frills on its back, then gathers energy from the sun through photosynthesis like a plant! But, to take advantage of this free energy it must expose itself to the sun and any passing predator. It survives by tasting so bad that predators spit it out unharmed.

Kaplan does not mention what does eat it though something must since the world is not overrun with lettuce sea slugs. He also doesn't say how many offspring the hermaphrodite sea slugs produce, but most of the sea creatures discussed here produce thousands upon thousands of progeny and many are barely holding their own even though it takes only two to replace the parents.

Some creatures - seahorses and shrimp to name only two - are endangered by human predation, but even without humans the sea is a tough environment with numerous hungry predators on the prowl at every stage of life.

With vivid writing, a sense of humor and truly fascinating creatures to work with, Kaplan creates a feel for the teeming sea and rouses a sense of wonder in his readers. Line drawings in each chapter illustrate the creatures and their life cycles. This is a book for anyone with even a small bit of curiosity about the hidden world around them.

-- Portsmouth Herald ... Read more

Product Description
The field of marine mammal science has made enormous strides inthe last ten years as well as attracting a large amount of interest,due no doubt to the public appeal of whales, dolphins, and seals,which are never out of media attention. The purpose of this book is to review key topics through chapters onthe major disciplines from invited authorities around the world.Subjects covered include evolution and genetics, life histories,ecology, physiology, behaviour, medicine (diseases, parasitology),survey methodology, and all the main conservation issues (pollution,fisheries interactions, and sound disturbance). The book has an ecological and conservation emphasis since these aresubject areas calling for the most attention in the modern world, butother areas such as evolution, physiology, and medicine are also givenin-depth treatment. The book is written at the level of theundergraduate or above, although its style should appeal to anyonewith a serious interest in marine mammal science. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Review from The Quaterly Review of Biology, March 2003
"The editors have successfully defined and filled this niche.The book has two distinctive viewpoints.First, all of the chapters focus on issues relating to conservation.For example, sensory systems are covered because such knowledge is relevant for the later chapters to deal with net entanglement and noise pollution...this provides an often subtle, but refreshing alternative viewpoint to most other recent books on marine mammals."

Review from Marine Mammal Science, Vol. 18, No. 4, 2002
"Let's cut to the chase, this book is simply an outstanding read regarding the evolution, behavior, health, and conservation of marine mammals...the following five topics are covered in a very complete fashion: (1) life history and ecology; (2) sensory systems; (3) survey and study techniques; (4) health, parasites, and pathogens; and (5) conservation and management.No one of these sections in necessarily better than the other, as they are all provide excellent summaries of the available literature.The text is written in a style appropriate for advanced undergraduates and graduate students.One of the things I found particularly appealing about the book is that the editors clearly emphasized to each of the contributing authors that they should include some of the cutting edge questions, where future research needs to be directed to move the various fields forward.Therefore, the text is replete with ideas and suggestions for Masters and Ph.D. level research.In addition, I think the editors, who obviously worked closely with the authors of each chapter, found the right balance between emphasizing the underlying discipline...and the wonderment of knowledge about marine mammals... this is a textbook that belongs in the bookshelves of practicing marine mammal biologists and academics interested in vertebrate biology.In addition, I highly recommend this book to graduate students interested in applying the tools of a particular discipline to a specific hypothesis that can be tested using marine mammal data.As far as textbooks go, this text has "legs" and I would venture to guess that its useful shelf-life will exceed 10 years in most disciplines covered." - Douglas P. DeMaster, National Marine Mammal Laboratory

Review from Journal of Experimental Marine Biology & Ecology
"This book is generally of high editorial standard... I intend to recommend the book as background reading for my course and to use some chapters as the basis for restructuring some of my lectures... If you are interested in marine mammals this book will certainly be a very useful addition to your library."- by Helen Marsh, James Cook University ... Read more

Product Description
This book offers a carefully balanced, stimulating survey of marine ecology that introduces the key processes and systems that form the marine environment and examines the issues and challenges which surround its future conservation. Marine Ecology: Processes, Systems, and Impacts is ideal for undergraduate courses in marine biology or marine ecology.An Instructor's Manual is available to adopters. BLEmploys many examples from around the world to put concepts and issues in a real-world context BLPresents detailed case studies throughout the text BLContains numerous full-color illustrations ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very Good!!!
The book arrived very fast and in perfect conditions!! This book is very good, talks about every marine regions, from the Coastal Ecossystems to the Polar regions!!! The book is small, light and have many pictures and tables!! I recommend this book, specially for university students!! ... Read more

Product Description
Emphasizes the ecological principles that govern marine life throughout all environments within the world's oceans. Its unique ecological approach adds real-world relevance by exploring how organisms interact within their individual ecosystems.The book is organized by habitat and each habitat receives detailed, in-depth coverage, giving readers the flexibility to focus on their particular areas of interest. The Fifth Edition is fully updated with the latest research data and topics, including expanded coverage of the human impact on oceans, oceanic dead zones, and coral reefs. For marine biologists and marine ecologists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

An interesting text
I had to buy this book for a marine ecology class. I found the text very easy to understand and straightforward. It covers a wide variety of subjects, but because of this it does not go into great detail on many things, which is unfortunate.

Book review
The book was used and was in good condition. I actually kept the book after I was done with the class because it had good, useful information in there. I actually referenced this text when writing up lab reports for my ecology class.

Okay book
First let me just say that I love my Marine Biology class that I had to buy this book for. Now let me get down to it. I am sure there are better books out there if you are interested in the subject (if you have to buy it for class you don't have a choice). This book is sometimes interesting but I have found that at times they just try to put so much information in such a boring way that you just cannot learn it. This was particularly noticeable in chapter 2 about plankton. The book goes over about 10 different plankton species every other page and it is very boring. Other than that, the book is fine but nothing more than average.

Marine Biology: An Ecological Approach
Great text. Great price.Book arrived in excellent condition, in a timely manner, and Kevin Serkes, seller, was great with the follow up, and with addressing my concerns about other book orders I had placed.Thank you for a great job!!

A great text
Most marine biology texts on the market are designed to support lower division courses for non-majors.Nybakken's text, however, is designed with the upper division biology major as its primary audience. This bookis, in my opinion, the best book on the market to support an undergraduatecourse in marine biology for majors.

Nybakken takes a community ecologyapproach to his discussions of the marine environment.There are chaptersthat address communities of the plankton, nekton, deep sea, nearshoresubtidal regions, intertidal habitats, estuaries and marshes, the tropicsand the poles, and so forth.

The photographs and illustrations are good,the text is well written, and examples are widely known.It may be truethat Nybakken tends to pull more heavily on examples from the West Coast ofthe USA, but there are also ample numbers of examples from other areas ofthe world that support the text.

Each chapter is supported by a list ofreferences from the professional (primary) scientific literature --something a serious biology student would appreciate and use.

This isan easy book to teach from and to learn from.The information isexcellent, the examples are clear, and the supporting graphics aregood.

It is also notable that Nybakken not only discusses the biology ofmarine organisms, but he addresses the stewardship we have to conserve theplanet's vital assemblage of marine resouces and biodiversity. ... Read more