Written primarily for 16–19-year-old students, this primer introduces the key features of the marine environment and explores definitions of marine biodiversity at different levels of biological organization: genetic, species, ecosystem, and functional. It also discusses how changes in ocean features due to human activities are having a negative impact on marine biological diversity.
The primer aims to extend students' knowledge and inspire them to take their school-level learning further. It explores topics that are familiar from the curriculum and also introduces new ideas, giving students a first taste of the study of biology beyond school-level and demonstrating how concepts frequently encountered at school are relevant to and applied in current research.
This is an ideal text to support students who are considering making the transition from studying biology at school to university.
1. The marine environment. United and divided
2. The ocean in motion
3. Seawater matters
4. What is marine biodiversity?
5. Measuring marine biodiversity
6. What does marine biodiversity do for us?
7. What are we doing to marine biodiversity?
Dr Michael Kent MemMBA FRSB studied Zoology at London University, Marine Biology at Bangor, and carried out PhD research into shellfish parasites at Plymouth. After his PhD, he joined Torpoint School as a science teacher, then moved to St Austell VI Form College to teach A-level Biology and Sport Science. From St Austell, he was appointed Head of the Centre for Applied Zoology at Newquay (now part of Cornwall College) where he helped design and deliver Foundation Degrees in Marine Aquaculture and Zoological Conservation. In 2006, he became a full-time science writer and independent researcher. His books include Advanced Biology and the Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science and Medicine, both published by Oxford University Press. His research focuses on intertidal ecology. He has a passion for all things marine and enjoys sharing that passion with others.