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Books > Sport & Leisure > Natural history, country life & pets > Wild animals > Aquatic creatures > Sea & seashore life
Discover the incredible diversity of life within our seas and learn how we can all play a role in protecting and conserving it. Our seas are home to an abundance of fascinating creatures and stunning habitats. From spectacular kelp forests to intricate rocky reefs and from mud plains to open ocean, the British Isles have a diversity of marine ecosystems that rival those seen on any nature documentary. Yet, for generations, we have been slowly suffocating life beneath the waves. Decades of unsustainable exploitation, endless pollution and a warming climate have had a devastating effect on our marine habitats. However, it's not too late to make a difference and change course. Written in collaboration with the Wildlife Trusts, Britain's Living Seas provides a user-friendly and richly illustrated guide to coasts around the British Isles, uncovering the diversity of life within a range of marine habitats and the life-giving services that they provide us. Outlining how their very existence is under threat, marine biologist Hannah Rudd presents an alternative and sustainable future for the management of our seas. We can all do our bit as individuals too. Through practical steps such as re-thinking what we eat, our relationship with plastic and how we spend our money, we can become marine conservationists in our everyday lives and help to create a healthier future for our oceans. Everyone can discover more about the wonders within the waters that surround us and play a part in rebuilding our connection with the natural world.
Winner Rubery Book Award; Highly Commended, British Book Design & Production Awards. This beautiful and unusual book brings together a year's wanderings along Britain's shores with compelling stories of their natural history, geology and evolution - from ancient myth to current science - and the author's striking contemporary photography. Whether paddling through the shallows, sheltering in a sea cave or crouching on a cliff in a hailstorm, we are taken on a journey of fascinating diversions. Against a backdrop of the shifting seasons, weather and tides, there are mermaid's purses, hag stones and by-the-wind sailors, alongside stories of wind-sellers and nineteenth century fossil hunters, the evolution of whales and Lego dragons lost at sea. As the threads draw together there is the sense that a walk on the beach, with all its chance finds and everyday wonders, stretches both back into the deep past and ahead into the uncertain future of our oceans. Above all, we are inspired to go out and explore for ourselves, reminded of the pleasures of discovery, and of looking and listening more closely.
Although the United States and other affluent nations havemore than an adequate food supply, other nations daily facethe specter of starvation. The world now has a critical population/food dilemma of potentially major proportions. Production fromthe sea and the land is not keeping pace with a world populationthat is doubling every thirty-five years. Unless this age-oldMalthusian problem is solved, millions face starvation and ultimatelydeath.The situation has stimulated substantial international interestin the sea as a source of food and raw materials. The potentialof the sea-not as a panacea, but as an important source of proteinto augment the world's food supplies and thereby as a meansof mitigating the crises we face-is a continuing theme throughoutthis book. At present, fish provide approximately 9 percentof the world's protein. Fish are sought not only for food butalso for recreation and pleasure. What forces determine the presentsupply and demand for fishery products? More important,what steps are needed to utilize the full potential of the sea asa source of food and recreation? This book explores these forcesand thus provides an insight into food potential from the sea.
A riveting new exploration of the octopus from the world-leading scientific expert. For fans of Netflix's 'My Octopus Teacher' and Other Minds by Peter Godfrey-Smith. 'Enchanting. Enough to melt the stoniest of hearts.' MAIL ON SUNDAY 'Scheel brings the world of the octopus vividly alive... a sense of what it might be like to live in their skins.' FINANCIAL TIMES 'Fascinating. The deepest of octopus books.' PETER GODFREY-SMITH 'I was agog at his accounts. Mind-blowing and soul-expanding' SY MONTGOMERY AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4'S TODAY PROGRAMME _________________ What is it like to be an octopus? The octopus is a highly intelligent and deeply mysterious creature. It can change colour as quickly as it can move, 'think' with its tentacles and communicate in sophisticated ways. Marine biologist David Scheel's lifelong preoccupation with these animals has led to a career of groundbreaking research, from finding previously unknown species to the discovery of signaling communication. In Many Things Under a Rock, Scheel shares his deep scientific understanding of octopuses and recounts his intrepid adventures with these mysterious, charismatic creatures. He investigates four major mysteries about octopuses: what can we know about such elusive and camouflaged creatures? Why are they so extraordinarily resilient? How do their bodies work? And what kind of relationships do they have? In unravelling these mysteries, Dr Scheel shows octopuses to be complex emotional beings and reveals what they can teach us about ourselves.
An ancient, and vital, part of nature's ecosystem, seaweed is now emerging as an increasingly important source of food in a world faced with diminishing natural resources. In Seaweed Chronicles, acclaimed nature writer Susan Hand Shetterly opens a window into the world of this fascinating organism by providing an elegant, often poetic look at life on the rugged shore of the Gulf of Maine. Shetterly offers a close look at the life cycle of seaweed, and introduces us to the men and women who farm and harvest it - and their increasingly difficult task of protecting this critical natural resource against forces both natural and man-made. Ideal for readers of such books as The Hidden Life of Trees and How to Read Water, Seaweed Chronicles is a beautiful tribute to a little-known part of our country and a significant contribution to our understanding of our natural habitat.
The Caribbean Sea is a semi-enclosed basin of the western Atlantic Ocean that includes over 8,388 miles (over 13,500 km) of coastline, a zone that is characterized by coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, sandy beaches, and rocky shores. These tropical ecosystems contain a high diversity of flora and fauna, and constitute a major marine biodiversity hot spot. This beautifully illustrated 12-panel waterproof folding guide to Caribbean Seashore Life highlights 120 species of seashore birds, mammals, seashore creatures, seashells, nearshore fishes, marine plants and algae, and coastal plants that are most likely to be encountered along the Caribbean coast. Ideal for field use by residents and visitors alike. Made in the USA.
Lynne Cox has set open water swimming records across the world,
and now she has focused her decades-long experience and expertise
into this definitive guide to swimming. Cox methodically addresses
what is needed to succeed at and enjoy open water swimming,
including choosing the right bathing suit and sunscreen; surviving
in dangerous weather conditions, currents, and waves; confronting
various marine organisms; treating ailments, such as being stung or
bitten, and much more. Cox calls upon Navy SEAL training materials
and instructors' knowledge of open water swimming and safety
procedures to guide her research. In addition, first-hand anecdotes
from SEAL specialists and stories of Cox's own experiences serve as
both warnings and proper practices to adopt.
Sea stars are amongst the most common and conspicuous invertebrates
that thrive in the rich waters of the Pacific Northwest, from
northern California to southeast Alaska. Worldwide there are more
than 2,000 different species, but no other temperate region has a
greater variety and abundance of these colourful and often very
large echinoderms, which are closely related to sea urchins, sea
cucumbers, brittle stars and feather stars. An underwater
photographer, journalist and naturalist with over 40 years of
diving experience, Neil McDaniel provides many original field
observations to accompany his remarkable images of these
fascinating animals.
This practical pocket guide, published in association with the Wildlife Trusts, includes nearly 180 species that live in the area between land and sea called the intertidal, or littoral, zone. The seashore is home to plants and animals that are usually very different in form from their land-based relatives. This guide includes all the most common shells, molluscs, crustaceans, seaweeds, fishes, spiny creatures such as starfishes and sea urchins, mammals and many other species found on the seashore. Each species account includes accurate artworks and a concise written account that covers essential details such as size, general description, habitat, ecology, and distribution in Britain and the near Continent. The easy-to-follow layouts and illustrations aid quick and precise identification, making this book an indispensable reference in the field as well as at home. It is compact enough to fit in the pocket, yet packed with essential information for nature enthusiasts.
Entertaining and educational activities focusing on the ocean and its creatures… The Ocean Book Aquarium and Seaside Activities and Ideas for all Ages This activity book on the world of the oceans and the living things that inhabit them is filled with experiments, investigations, puzzles, games, and all sorts of fun things to do and learn. The activities were created and contributed by the leading aquatic centers in the United States, including the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, Sea World in Ohio, and many others. The activities are designed to teach by doing, and each one has a high entertainment value. Just a few of the topics covered in The Ocean Book include: Whales Seals Sharks Tides Camouflage Fish Sea Turtles Coral Reefs The Ocean Floor Sealab All the activities are ideal for grades K-6, but older children and adults may just learn a thing or two as well.
The Indo-Pacific region is the dream destination for all SCUBA divers and snorkelers. The coral reefs in this region are bursting with marine life and are home to more animal species than any other diving spot in the world – more than 40 per cent of all coral reef fishes known worldwide. Added to this, the waters are crystal-clear, giving the best chance of viewing the underwater stars. Top-quality, close-up photographs of each species (in some cases including juvenile or sub-adult variants) are accompanied by detailed information listing identifying features, size, biology and distribution. The introductory section focuses on specific types of behaviour, such as mimicry, cleaning stations and the symbiotic relationships between various species. The species descriptions that follow are grouped in three chapters on fishes, invertebrates, and reptiles and sea mammals. Covering Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mauritius, Melanesia, Micronesia, the Philippines, Polynesia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand, and describing over 800 species, this book is an invaluable identification guide.
Wyl Menmuir's The Draw of the Sea is a beautifully written and deeply moving portrait of the Cornish Coast and the people who make their livings there, examining the ephemeral but universal pull the sea holds over the human imagination. 'A beautiful portrait of lives shaped by the swell of ocean and tide - a powerful salt-thread of connection' - Raynor Winn, author of The Salt Path Since the earliest stages of human development, the sea has fascinated and entranced us. It feeds us, sustaining communities and providing livelihoods, but it also holds immense destructive power which can take all those away in an instant. It connects us to far away places, offering the promise of new lands and voyages of discovery, but also shapes our borders, carving divisions between landmasses and eroding the very ground beneath our feet. In this beautifully-written meditation on what it is that draws us to the waters' edge, author Wyl Menmuir tells the stories of the people whose lives revolve around the sea in the Cornish community where he lives. In twelve interlinked chapters, Menmuir explores the lives of local fishermen steeped in the rich traditions of a fishing community, the beachcombers who wander the shores in search of the varied objects which wash ashore and the stories they tell, and all number of others who have made their lives on the beautiful Cornwall coast. In the specifics of these livelihoods and their rich histories and traditions, Wyl Menmuir captures the universal human connection to the sea. Into this seductive tapestry, Wyl weaves the story of how the sea has beckoned, consoled and restored him. This book is a meaningful and moving work into how we interact with the environment around us, and how it comes to shape the course of our lives. As unmissable as it is compelling, as profound as it is personal, this must-read book will delight anyone familiar with the intimate and powerful pull which the sea holds over us.
With simple organization, this guide tells the individual stories of 213 shelled mollusks using descriptive accounts, distribution maps, and color photographs. Accounts feature glimpses of each seashell's former life as a living creature. The organization and descriptions as well as the photographs make shell identification easy.
Marine Life of the Maldives is an identification guide for divers, snorkellers and beachcombers in the Maldives and wider Indian Ocean region. It includes all the main marine invertebrates, marine plants, mammals, reptiles and birds. The update of this popular book has been carried out by the associate authors after the death of author Neville Coleman in 2012. It includes a full revision of scientific and common names as well as a revision of the Phylum Cnidaria (Stingers), which includes the Stony corals. A comprehensive introduction outlines the main changes to the marine environment since the book was first published in 2000. Although this book is based on scientific classification, its primary function is to encourage greater awareness among divers on a level that everyone can understand. The text is informative and educational and illustrates almost every major group of marine invertebrates. It is supported by a full Glossary to explain references to scientific terms. By using this book as a guide, divers can recognize and understand more about the many creatures seen on the reefs and participate in their discovery. It provides the reader with an opportunity to explore previously unknown life forms and opens a whole new adventure into the world of marine invertebrates. Marine Life of the Maldives also provides teachers of marine biology with a useful reference for conducting marine courses and ecological surveys.
This book celebrates oceans, coasts and shorelines the world over. Bringing together incredible stories and legends of the sea, delicious recipes and activities inspired by the coast, and fascinating trivia on everything from marine exploration to the turning tides, it will captivate anyone who is enthralled by the wonder of the sea.
Our Sea Turtles is the story of understanding, experiencing, and saving the sea turtle and helping them thrive in our oceans. Now in its second edition, Blair and Dawn Witherington’s iconic book includes updated facts and figures, new photos, and new calls to action for saving the turtles. Well-organized sections that are full of photos, maps, and figures help readers get a sense of the various types of sea turtles and how they might be similar or different from one another. Those who are interested in not only learning about the marine animal but also in helping it benefit from the authors’ precise knowledge and understanding of sea turtles.
How do you dig up a 13,000 year-old footprint? Why do kelp forests need sea otters? How do you measure a shrinking glacier from an airplane? What is a 'zombie urchin'? Heart of the Coast brings these questions to life in a deep exploration of the beauty, mystery and biodiversity of the Pacific coast. Join Hakai Institute researchers in the field-archaeologists, oceanographers, marine biologists and beyond-as they journey from the ice fields of Klinaklini Glacier to the dazzling undersea reefs of a place called Crazy Town. British Columbia's Central Coast is a rich landscape called "a biologist's dream" and "the Amazon of the north." Since launching its Calvert Island ecological observatory there in 2009, the Hakai Institute has become a renowned centre of science and exploration. Collaborations with the Smithsonian Institution, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and several First Nations on the BC coast--along with a wide array of scientists hailing from other agencies and universities across North America-have uncovered new species, advanced our knowledge of marine food webs, and helped track the effects of climate change on watersheds and coastal ecosystems. Stunning photography illuminates the institute's journey of discovery over the past decade. This unforgettable book will inspire you with wonder and awe for the natural world, but be careful-you may learn something along the way.
How often have you visited the seashore and wished you knew more about the diverse and alien wildlife found on the UK's coastline? There are incredible stories to discover about our coastal species so if the tantalising glimpses you've caught of this semi-aquatic environment between the tides has left you curious to learn more, the RSPB Handbook of the Seashore is for you. It will help you to easily identify and learn about the life cycles and anatomy of the species you discover, and features useful sections on the tidal cycle, how to read tide tables, where to look, conservation and climate change concerns, and who to call should you come across something unexpected on your next beach visit. Featuring over 200 species accounts - each with a photo, full description, and details of distribution and zonation - this brand new guide is written throughout in engaging text suitable for families, students and anyone who loves to visit the seashore.
Take a walk on the beach with three coastal experts who reveal the secrets and the science of the North Carolina shoreline. What makes sea foam? What are those tiny sand volcanoes along the waterline? You'll find the answers to these questions and dozens more in this comprehensive field guide to the state's beaches, which shows visitors how to decipher the mysteries of the beach and interpret clues to an ever-changing geological story. Orrin Pilkey, Tracy Monegan Rice, and William Neal explore large-scale processes, such as the composition and interaction of wind, waves, and sand, as well as smaller features, such as bubble holes, drift lines, and black sands. In addition, coastal life forms large and small--from crabs and turtles to microscopic animals--are all discussed here. The concluding chapter contemplates the future of North Carolina beaches, considering the threats to their survival and assessing strategies for conservation. This indispensable beach book offers vacationers and naturalists a single source for learning to appreciate and preserve the natural features of a genuine state treasure.
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