The marine environment is the largest, most important, and yet most mysterious habitat on our planet. It contains more than 99% of the world's living space; produces half of its oxygen; plays a critical role in regulating its climate; and supports a remarkably diverse and exquisitely adapted array of life forms, from microscopic viruses, bacteria, and plankton to the largest existing animals. As the 21st century progresses human activities, such as overfishing, coastal development, plastic pollution, oil spills, nutrient ...
Read More
The marine environment is the largest, most important, and yet most mysterious habitat on our planet. It contains more than 99% of the world's living space; produces half of its oxygen; plays a critical role in regulating its climate; and supports a remarkably diverse and exquisitely adapted array of life forms, from microscopic viruses, bacteria, and plankton to the largest existing animals. As the 21st century progresses human activities, such as overfishing, coastal development, plastic pollution, oil spills, nutrient pollution, the spread of exotic species, and the emission of climate changing greenhouse gases are posing a significant threat to the marine environment and to many of its life forms. In this unique Very Short Introduction, Philip Mladenov provides a comprehensive overview of marine biology, providing a tour of marine life and marine processes that ranges from the polar oceans to tropical coral reefs; and from the intertidal to the hydrothermal vents of the deep sea. 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.
Read Less
Add this copy of Marine Biology to cart. $2.78, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brownstown, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2013 by Oxford University Press, USA.
Add this copy of Marine Biology to cart. $2.78, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2013 by Oxford University Press, USA.
Add this copy of Marine Biology: a Very Short Introduction (Very Short to cart. $2.79, very good condition, Sold by Open Books Ltd rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Chicago, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2013 by Oxford University Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Open Books is a nonprofit social venture that provides literacy experiences for thousands of readers each year through inspiring programs and creative capitalization of books.
Add this copy of Marine Biology: a Very Short Introduction (Very Short to cart. $2.95, good condition, Sold by Goodwill Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hillsboro, OR, UNITED STATES, published 2013 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of Marine Biology: a Very Short Introduction (Very Short to cart. $3.00, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Emerald rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2013 by Oxford University Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Marine Biology: a Very Short Introduction (Very Short to cart. $3.00, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2013 by Oxford University Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Marine Biology: a Very Short Introduction (Very Short to cart. $3.14, very good condition, Sold by greenway rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Chattanooga, TN, UNITED STATES, published 2013 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of Marine Biology: a Very Short Introduction (Very Short to cart. $3.51, very good condition, Sold by The Maryland Book Bank rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from baltimore, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2013 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of Marine Biology: a Very Short Introduction (Very Short to cart. $3.51, very good condition, Sold by Books From California rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Simi Valley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2013 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of Marine Biology: a Very Short Introduction (Very Short to cart. $4.70, good condition, Sold by BooksRun rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Philadelphia, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2013 by Oxford University Press.
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.
