The oceans are our planet's most distinctive and imposing natural habitat. They cover 71 per cent of its surface; support a remarkably diverse and exquisitely adapted array of life forms, from microscopic viruses, bacteria, and plankton to the largest existing animals; and possess many of Earth's most significant, intriguing, and inaccessible ecosystems. In an era in which humans are significantly altering the global environment, the oceans are undergoing rapid and profound changes. The study of marine biology is thus ...
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The oceans are our planet's most distinctive and imposing natural habitat. They cover 71 per cent of its surface; support a remarkably diverse and exquisitely adapted array of life forms, from microscopic viruses, bacteria, and plankton to the largest existing animals; and possess many of Earth's most significant, intriguing, and inaccessible ecosystems. In an era in which humans are significantly altering the global environment, the oceans are undergoing rapid and profound changes. The study of marine biology is thus taking on added importance and urgency as people struggle to understand and manage these changes to protect our marine ecosystems. Healthy oceans produce half of the oxygen we breathe; stabilize our climate; create ecosystems that protect our coasts from storms; provide us with abundant food; and host diverse organisms that provide us with natural products for medicine and biotechnology. In this Very Short Introduction, marine biologist Philip Mladenov provides an accessible and up-to-date overview of marine biology, offering a tour of marine life and marine processes that ranges from the unimaginably abundant microscopic organisms that drive the oceans' food web to the apex predators that we exploit for food; from polar ocean ecosystems to tropical coral reefs; and from the luxurious kelp beds of the coastal ocean to deep-ocean hydrothermal vents where life exists without the energy of the sun. Throughout the book he considers the human impacts on marine life including overfishing, plastic and nutrient pollution, the spread of exotic species, and ocean warming and acidification. He discusses the threats these pose to our welfare, and the actions required to put us on a path to a more sustainable relationship with our oceans so that they can be restored and protected for future generations. Mladenov concludes with a new chapter offering an inspiring vision for the future of our oceans in 2050 that can be realised if we are wise enough to accelerate actions already underway and be bold with implementing new approaches. The next decade will decide the state of the oceans that we leave behind for future generations. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
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The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle said that "all men by nature desire to know". The "very short introduction" series of Oxford University Press offers an excellent way to pursue the breadth of the desire to know in many varied subjects and endeavors. For example, the study reviewed here, the 354th book in the series, is Philip Mladenov's recent very short introduction to Marine Biology (2013). According to OUP, the book is the only short introduction currently available on the subject. It explores well the sources, nature, and diversity of marine life. Over the years, I have explored bits and pieces of the subject but this book was my first cohesive overview. Mladenov is a former Professor of Marine Science at the University of Otago, New Zealand and currently serves as Director of Seven Seas Consulting, LTD. Mladenov has over 35 years experience in his subject.
A book introducing marine biology might be devoted to presenting unusual, exotic examples of sea life, but Mladenov approaches his subject far more systematically. Mladenov points out that the marine environment covers 71 percent of the earth and includes its largest repository of living matter. He argues that because people are beginning to appreciate fully the importance of the marine environment to their lives, "a solid understanding of marine biology is more important than ever before". His book has the threefold aim of providing an overview of marine life and environment, considering the role marine life plays in the broader environment, and showing the impacts of human activity on marine life.
The book takes a holistic approach. It begins with a brief overview of vital components of marine life, such as the chemistry of the oceans, the geography of the ocean floor, light and its importance, winds and circulation, temperature, water pressure, and more. The discussion is valuable in understanding the ecology of the ocean and the interrelated character of physical, chemical, geographical, and biological studies. The book then works up to offer a view of the ocean's "primary producers" -- the tiny forms of life that photosynthesize in the ocean and provide the basis for the entire food chain. The book then considers the various areas of marine life, emphasizing the unique conditions impacting each of them. These areas include, the coastal ocean, the polar regions, tropical marine life, particularly involving coral reefs, marine life in the deep seas, and life in the intertidal region. A final chapter discusses the ocean as a food source, with emphasis of the problem of overfishing.
Each chapter offers a wealth of detailed if necessarily brief information. The author introduces and uses technical terms to the extent useful in understanding concepts. The chapters are well-organized as they generally begin with introductory information, work through small plants and animals and proceed to consider larger marine life. He shows the nature of, for example, seagrass, in the biological chain and then considers as well various factors that can upset ecological balance. Each chapter concludes with a discussion of the ways people and their activities impact the marine environment. Mladenov is particularly concerned with the possible long-range consequences of global warming. Mladenov concludes that finding a "globally holistic approach" to managing the environment and the oceans constitutes "human society's greatest challenge over the next twenty to thirty years". He writes, ""the decisions made will determine the future of the Global Ocean, the largest and most important habitat on the planet."
The material in this book is factually dense. OUP and Mladenov have made available a Reading Guide which consists of a series of questions testing the reader's understanding of the facts and concepts presented in the book. The guide may be used by individual readers or by reading groups. Here is an example of a question: "Why are seagrasses often referred to as 'turtle grass'? Does your group consider that seagrasses are important to human society? Why?" The detailed questions encourage a careful rather than a cursory reading of the study.
Readers wanting to explore the nature of marine biology and to expand the scope of their knowledge will enjoy this book and its companions in the very short introductions series.
