This established textbook continues to provide a comprehensive and stimulating introduction to marine ecological concepts and processes. Based on a wealth of international teaching expertise, An Introduction to Marine Ecology is written to be the basis for an entire undergraduate course in marine biology or ecology. It covers the trophic, environmental and competitive interactions of marine organisms, and the effects of these on the productivity, dynamics and structure of marine systems. The strength of the book lies in its discussion of core topics which remains at the heart of the majority of courses in the subject, despite an increasing emphasis on more applied aspects.
The authors maintain the tradition of clarity and conciseness set by previous editions, and the text is extensively illustrated with colour plates, photographs and diagrams. Examples are drawn from all over the world. In this edition, the scientific content of the text has been fully revised and updated. An emphasis has been placed on human impacts, and completely new chapters have been added on fisheries, marine ecosystems, and human interference and conservation.
* Completely revised and updated with a twofold increase in the number of illustrations.
* Adopts a more applied approach in keeping with current teaching.
* New chapters on fisheries, the marine ecosystem, conservation and pollution.
* Based on a proven and successful course structure.
Table of Content
Preface vii
1 The nature and global distribution of marine organisms habitats and productivity 1
2 The planktonic system of surface waters 30
3 The benthos of continental shelf and littoral sediments 54
4 Salt-marshes mangrove-swamps and sea grass meadows 77
5 Rocky shores and kelp forests 85
6 Coral reefs 117
7 Pelagic and benthic systems of the deep sea 142
8 Fish and other nekton 150
9 Ecology of life histories 180
10 Speciation and biogeography 207
11 The marine ecosystem as a functional whole 222
12 Human interference and conservation 238
References 257
lndex 270
About the author
R. S. K. Barnes is the author of An Introduction to Marine Ecology, 3rd Edition, published by Wiley. R. N. Hughes is the author of An Introduction to Marine Ecology, 3rd Edition, published by Wiley.