Marine Biology: Function, Biodiversity, EcologyWritten by one of the most highly respected researchers in marine biology, this text is the most current and accessible treatment of all aspects of this interdisciplinary field. Marine Biology aims to heighten students' inherent fascination with the ocean and marine life and describes in an easily understandable manner the biological principles which govern marine biological systems. It introduces the rich diversity of the marine environment by focusing on three major themes: 1) function, the way organisms solve problems and the chemical and physical factors affecting these solutions; 2) biodiversity, an overview of the various life forms in the ocean; and 3) ecology, the interaction of organisms with their environment. Designed for undergraduate courses at the sophomore to senior level, the book is designed to help students approach a great variety of material. Supplemented by suggestions for further reading, a glossary of important terms, text boxes highlighting significant equations and concepts, review questions at the end of each chapter, and an abundance of illustrative examples and visual material, this text is a fascinating introduction to marine biology which is both accessible to and captivating for students of marine biology, marine ecology, and marine science. |
Contents
Sounding the Deep | 3 |
The Oceanic Environment | 13 |
Ecological and Evolutionary Principles | 33 |
Copyright | |
15 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
abundance algae animals Atlantic bacteria barnacles benthic benthos bivalve body bottom burrowing carbon carnivores cause cells coast coastal colonies concentration copepods coral reefs crab cycle deep-sea density deposit feeders depth diatoms dispersal diversity dominated Ecology effect eggs environment estuaries example feeding Figure fish fisheries flow fluid Further Reading gastropods genetic grazing groups growth habitats herbivores increase interactions intertidal invertebrates kelp larvae layer light living major Marine Biology marine organisms marsh ment migrate mollusks move mussels nitrogen number of species nutrients ocean organic matter oxygen Pacific particles photosynthesis phylum phytoplankton plankton polychaetes population predators prey primary production reduced relatively reproduction Reynolds number rocky shores salinity sea bed sea grasses sea water seaweeds sediment shell snails Spartina spawning starfish structure suspension feeders swimming temperature tentacles tidal tide tion toxic tropical urchins usually velocity water column whales worm zone zooplankton zooxanthellae