Marine Ecology Concepts and Applications

This work by Speight and Henderson (both, Oxford Univ., UK) details physical and chemical marine environments and their effect on various organisms and ecological functions. The book is divided into 10 chapters. The first two chapters address essential aspects of oceanography, including factors such as ocean currents, temperature, salinity, and various elements in sea water and their influence on marine organisms. Subsequent chapters focus on the diversity of organisms in various oceanic realms, factors underlying the distribution and diversity of organisms, and the functional aspects of the oceans, including primary production, chemosynthesis, predation, parasitism, and more.Concluding chapters address the larger picture, including global fisheries, sustainable exploitation of marine resources, anthropogenic impacts on oceans, and conservation of marine resources. Appropriate examples and graphs illustrate the points made in each chapter. Pictures and graphics are excellent. (CHOICE, December 2010) "This is a well organized, easily read text that provides a useful introduction to marine ecology for senior undergraduate students...teachers looking for an up-to-date text with a modern approach should, nevertheless, look at this book to see whether it meets their particular course needs." (Aquaculture International, July 2010)