The oceans are our planet's most distinctive and imposing natural habitat. They cover 71 percent 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.

This textbook introduces marine biotechnology by collecting the key knowledge on genetics, fish breeding, genetic diversity, seaweed production and microalgae biotechnology, and explores marine biomaterials and how they can benefit human health. Covering the latest applications of marine biotechnology in natural product development, genomics, transgenic technology, cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical development, it particularly focuses on future biological resources, developing functional materials from marine life, production of marine bioenergy and marine microbial resources and biotechnology. The author explains the structure of the book in an introductory note, and each chapter offers a detailed overview and conclusion to help readers better grasp the acquired knowledge. Lastly, the final part provides a comprehensive glossary with brief explanations of the key concepts in marine biotechnology. Written by a leading expert in the field with more than 30 years of teaching experience, this book broadens students’ understanding of the basics and recent developments in marine biotechnology.

Apologia’s Marine Biology course is one of the few homeschool science courses that include an entire education on ecology. It gives students self-directed learning tools to ensure that they thrive and master key science concepts. God designed the earth’s intricate ecosystem for his glory and the needs of those He created, and it is crucial for Christians in our day to accurately understand the ocean’s ecosystems and resources and how we can best steward them.--Publisher

Covers the basics of marine biology with a global approach, using examples from numerous regions and ecosystems worldwide. This text is designed for non-majors. It also features basic science content needed in a general education course, including the fundamental principles of biology, the physical sciences, and the scientific method.

Levinton's Marine Biology is highly acclaimed and regarded by many as the best, most authoritative text for the sophomore/junior/senior marine biology course. The text is characterized by its exceptionally clear and conversational writing style, comprehensive coverage, and sophisticated presentation featuring organismal and ecosystem ecology topics from an evolutionary perspective. Over the course of five editions, Jeff Levinton has balanced his organismal and ecological focus by including the latest developments from the world of molecular biology, global climate change, and oceanic processes.

Have you ever think about what lies in the ocean? How can oceanography help us? Or how it can influence our lives? Oceanography, a combination of physical and biological sciences, may seem like an obscure or tedious subject, but it is fascinating and vitally important to know. It examines the plant and animal life in the oceans' depths as well as the conditions that exist there that are so extreme. For example, oceanographers study currents to predict weather patterns for us on land. Currents at the ocean floor seem to have an effect on weather patterns on land too. Oceanographers are also studying how the oceans affect weather and climate. The more they understand about the oceans, the better we will be able to predict changes in climate that could impact us here on land. A record of sea level and temperatures of North American coastlines goes back thousands of years. At that point in time, the oceans were much more extensive, as you can see in this picture. In the last few decades, oceanographers have been able to unlock some clues about how the world's oceans have changed over time by examining fossils. This book covers Oceanography Marine Geography Tides Currents Ocean Current and Climate Water Properties in the Ocean Marine Life And The Environment Effects of Exploitation and Pollution on Ocean Ecosystems Oceanography and Humanity And much more. Many sea creatures left traces of their existence in rock layers and layers of sediment that became part of Earth's crust. These rocks formed over millions of years, so there is a record from thousands of years ago to today. Because of the geological clues found in fossils, oceanographers now know that the ocean's temperature has changed and continuously changed as time goes by. The oceans take up a lot of heat from the sun. Water also holds more heat than air because it is much denser. Surprisingly, a slight change in temperature can cause considerable changes in water density because it is so sensitive to temperature changes. Oceanography is essential for our health. Oceanic pollutants, for example, can be hazardous to many marine organisms and humans. These pollutants can include mercury and pesticides that wash off of ships into the ocean and stay there for long periods of time before bacteria break them down into more minor compounds. These tiny compounds eventually make their way to the ocean floor, where they are taken up by phytoplankton in the ocean's water column. Another pollutant found in the oceans is plastic. Plastic bags, packaging, synthetic fishing lines, and other items are polluting the ocean's water. Many studies underway determine how much of these pollutants are being taken up by sea life, and sooner or later, it will end up on our dinner plates. Sea level change has been a critical focus for oceanographers because of its impact on human society. In addition to contributing to climate change, sea-level change is directly associated with flooding of coastal areas and erosion along river banks and mountain ranges. Learning about oceanography can help us understand the natural world around us because it combines chemistry, physics, biology, and marine science. Because of this, it is a great way to learn more about the world we live in.