Marine Ecology (eBook)

Both authors have long experience of research and teaching in marine ecology. Martin Speight's first degree was in marine zoology at UCNW Bangor, and he has taught marine ecology and conservation at Oxford for 25 years. His research students study tropical marine ecology from the Caribbean through East Africa to the Far East. Peter Henderson is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Oxford, and is Director of Pisces Conservation in the UK. He has worked on marine and freshwater fisheries, as well as ecological and economic impacts and exploitation of the sea in North and South America as well as Europe.

Preface vi

Acknowledgments ix

1 The physical template 1

2 Marine biodiversity 27

3 Primary production and chemosynthesis 49

4 Primary consumption: marine herbivores and detritivores 65

5 Predators, parasites, and pathogens 83

6 Competition and succession 107

7 Dispersal and settlement 129

8 The exploitation and maintenance of marine and estuarine
fisheries 153

9 Threats to marine ecosystems: the effects of man 169

10 Marine conservation 203

Appendix 239

References 251

Index 271

"This work by Speight and Henderson (both, Oxford Univ., UK)
details physical and chemical marine environments and their effect
on various organisms and ecological functions. The book is divided
into 10 chapters. The first two chapters address essential aspects
of oceanography, including factors such as ocean currents,
temperature, salinity, and various elements in sea water and their
influence on marine organisms. Subsequent chapters focus on the
diversity of organisms in various oceanic realms, factors
underlying the distribution and diversity of organisms, and the
functional aspects of the oceans, including primary production,
chemosynthesis, predation, parasitism, and more.Concluding chapters
address the larger picture, including global fisheries, sustainable
exploitation of marine resources, anthropogenic impacts on oceans,
and conservation of marine resources. Appropriate examples and
graphs illustrate the points made in each chapter. Pictures and
graphics are excellent." (CHOICE, December 2010)

"This is a well organized, easily read text that provides a useful
introduction to marine ecology for senior undergraduate
students...teachers looking for an up-to-date text with a modern
approach should, nevertheless, look at this book to see whether it
meets their particular course needs." (Aquaculture
International, July 2010)