United States
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Read an interview with the authors on our blog.
Rocky Shores explores the species, communities and landscape of the narrow strip of land along our coastline. Limited in extent it may be, but no other habitat in Britain is as extreme and dynamic. As the tide ebbs and flows, physical and chemical conditions can alter dramatically in a matter of minutes, yet an impressive number of life forms have adapted and even thrive in these challenging conditions. Rock pools dotted across the shore contain unique pockets of diversity, while the strandline at the high-tide mark supports a curious community of microbes and invertebrates that in turn attract birds and mammals.
John Archer-Thomson and Julian Cremona gently guide the reader through the patterns of marine biodiversity that might be encountered on sheltered and exposed shores: from the inhospitable 'splash zone' to the repeatedly submerged lower shore, and everything in between. In addition to the ecology, there is also much to be said about our cultural and historical links with the shore, and the authors also reflect on what the future may hold for this beautiful but vulnerable coastal ecosystem.
Filled with stunning photographs of rocky shores and their extraordinary inhabitants, Rocky Shores will appeal to anyone with a love of the shore – from the occasional 'rockpooler' through to enthusiastic naturalist.
"Rocky Shores is the seventh book in the now well-established British Wildlife Collection published by Bloomsbury. It more than lives up to the high standards set by the rest of the series, is beautifully presented, thoughtfully illustrated and above all, marvellously accessible being written by expert authors with an infectious enthusiasm for their subject. [...] Overall this is a worthy addition to the British Wildlife Collection and highly recommended."
– John Sproull, Atropos 65, March 2020
"[...] If you're already a marine biology expert, this book is not for you, but I guarantee the rest of you would learn at least something, and probably quite a lot, from this book; I certainly did. Even more importantly, you will discover how much we still don't know about some rocky shore organisms, despite their apparent familiarity. [...]"
– Ken Thompson, The Niche, British Ecological Society magazine, December 2019
"[...] Most of us will have only (literally) dipped our toes into this world, but this well-written and well-illustrated book will make you want to look again."
– Andy Musgrove, BTO book reviews
"[...] [A] beautifully written book. They state that their aim was to produce an accessible guide to rocky shores. Without a doubt they have done this. The book is a worthy addition to Bloomsbury’s British Wildlife Collection series."
– Frances Dipper, British Wildlife 30(4), April 2019
