Striking full colour illustrations and photographs bring this integrated and stimulating survey of marine ecology to life. Through its unique structure, Marine Ecology: Processes, Systems, and Impacts offers a systems-orientated approach from a truly modern and global perspective.
The text introduces key processes and systems from which the marine environment is formed and the issues and challenges which surround its future. Opening with an overview of the processes and interactions which are central to an understanding of marine ecology, Marine Ecology: Processes, Systems, and Impacts goes on to explore the diverse systems from which the marine environment is composed, from estuaries to seabeds, the deep sea to polar regions. Detailed case studies form the basis of the pedagogy, highlighting issues from a diverse range of marine systems in a digestible way.
In this third edition, more of an emphasis is placed on climate change and looking towards future challenges, since the importance of understanding and conserving the marine environment has never been more apparent. There is also a new chapter on the value of the ocean to society which discusses key topics such as natural capital and food security.
1: Patterns in the Marine Environment, David Barnes
2: Primary Production Processes, David Thomas
3: Microbial Production and the Decomposition of Organic Material, Hermanni Kaartokallio
4: Secondary Production, Jan Hiddink
5: Estuaries, Martin Attrill
6: Rocky and Sandy Shores, Martin Attrill and Michel Kaiser
7: Pelagic Ecosystems, Andrew Brierley
8: Continental Shelf Seabed, Michel Kaiser
9: The Deep Sea, Kerry Howell
10: Mangrove Forests and Seagrass Meadows, Martin Attrill
11: Coral Reefs, Nick Graham
12: Polar Regions, David Thomas
13: Fisheries, Simon Jennings
14: Aquaculture, Michel Kaiser
15: Pollution, Disturbance and Environmental Monitoring, Michel Kaiser
16: Conservation, Simon Jennings
17: Climate change, Michel Kaiser and Martin Attrill
18: Sea and Society, Michel Kaiser
Contributors:
- Michel J Kaiser - School of Ocean Sciences, Heriot-Watt University
- Martin J. Attrill - University of Plymouth Marine Institute
- David N. Thomas - School of Ocean Sciences, The College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University
- Simon Jennings - Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory
- Andrew S. Brierley - Gatty Marine Research Institute, University of St Andrews
- David K. A. Barnes - British Antarctic Survey, National Environment Research Council
- Hermanni Kaartokallio - Finnish Environment Institute
- Jan Hiddink - School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales Bangor
- Kerry Howell - School of Marine Science and Engineering, Plymouth University
- Nick Graham - Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University
- David G. Raffaelli - The Environment Department, University of York
- Nicholas V. C. Polunin - School of Marine Science and Technology, Newcastle University
"[...] One of the great positives of this text is the care given to the reader, by definition, a beginner in marine ecology. Chapters have overviews and summaries/further reading, with sidebars and text boxes for a range of useful examples and notes as needed in the chapter. A companion website gives a range of video and other resources for students and staff. Each chapter is very well laid out and beautifully illustrated. Overall, in terms of subject, topic focus and presentation, this is an excellent book that deserves the widest readership."
–Paul Ganderton, The Niche, autumn 2021
"Kaiser et al. is the best and most comprehensive textbook in Marine Ecology on the market today. It deals with the complex processes in the marine environment and how these operate in the various systems, and it shows how human societies benefit from and influence these systems."
– Dr Jens Tang Christensen, Aarhus University
"This is a perfect blend of the fundamentals of key oceanic processes that takes the reader from the simplest of processes to greater complexities in a very easy and well-structured read. It's an essential on the reading list for all marine related undergraduate studies."
– Dr Nicholas Ray, Nottingham Trent University
Review of the previous edition:
"I have always liked the fact that Marine Ecology focuses on the key ecological processes within the marine environment as well as the systems and habitats separately. The layout of the book is ideal for its target audience of undergraduate students and I recommend marine biology students purchase this book as it provides a handy reference guide throughout their degree. The balance of the book is excellent in that it provides web links to projects and suggested references for further reading."
– Dr Cathy Lucas, University of Southampton