Sea life and the seashore: general interest Books

Book SynopsisDeveloped in partnership with the National Geographic Society, OCEANOGRAPHY: AN INVITATION TO MARINE SCIENCE, 10th edition gives you a basic understanding of the complexities and uncertainties involved in ocean use as well as its role in sustaining life on Earth. Thoroughly updated with the latest findings from the field, the text includes new coverage of important issues such as climate change. Emphasizing the science process throughout, it helps you see how concepts from other scientific fields relate to topics in oceanography. Co-author Robert Ellis draws from his experience managing research projects and educational programs throughout the world, and a diverse group of National Geographic Explorers share their unique insights on key concepts. In addition, MindTap equips you with a wealth of anywhere, anytime digital learning solutions.Table of Contents1. The Origin of the Ocean. 2. A History of Marine Science. 3. Earth Structure and Plate Tectonics. 4. Ocean Basins. 5. Sediments. 6. Water and Ocean Structure. 7. Ocean Chemistry. 8. Circulation of the Atmosphere. 9. Circulation of the Ocean. 10. Waves. 11. Tides. 12. Coasts. 13. Life in the Ocean. 14. Primary Producers. 15. Marine Animals. 16. Marine Communities. 17. Marine Resources. 18. The Ocean and the Environment. Afterword. Appendix 1. Measurements and Conversions. Appendix 2. Geologic Time. Appendix 3. Latitude and Longitude, Time, and Navigation. Appendix 4. Maps and Charts. Appendix 5. The Beaufort Scale. Appendix 6. Taxonomic Classification of Marine Organisms. Appendix 7. Periodic Table of the Elements. Appendix 8. Working in Marine Science. Appendix 9. The World Ocean Seafloor.

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Book SynopsisThis veritable marine treasure trove of a book is richly illustrated by the author, with fifty of the most beautiful, easily encountered, and sometimes astonishing marine organisms found on British coasts, from seemingly exotic seahorses and starfish, to peculiar sea-potatoes and sea lemons. Together, these characterful critters paint a colourful picture of life between the tides: starfish that, upon losing an arm, can grow a new one; baby sharks hatching from their fancifully named ‘mermaid’ purses’; ethereal moon jellyfish pulsating in the current and, on some seabeds, even coral. Beachcombing, overturning a boulder or simply parting the strands of seaweed in a rock pool offer a glimpse into a thriving underwater world of curious creatures. Inspired by the Oxford University of Natural History’s exceptionally rich zoology collections, which contain millions of specimens amassed from centuries of expeditions, this book tells the story of life on the seashore.Trade Review'Beautifully illustrated with an oil painting, each species is depicted in the habitat in which it is usually found. … An enchanting work, suitable for anyone with an interest in coastal UK wildlife.' * BBC Countryfile *'I'm not a natural naturalist but occasionally when you see something bobbing by that isn't shredded plastic, it's nice to know what it is. This book allows you to do this. Chris Thorogood keeps it simple too, with nice big pictures and short but informative explanations of what the creature mentioned is. ... it's always handy to have such a guide.' * Sailing Today *'Science Book Gift Guide 2019: This short book contains 56 gorgeous colour reproductions of oil paintings by the author portraying creatures that can be found at low tide along the shoreline of the British Isles (and in many cases along shorelines elsewhere as well).' * American Scientist *

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Book SynopsisThis photographic non-fiction book explores the sea and looks at what kinds of plants and creatures live there including fish, jellyfish, seaweed and seals!This photographic non-fiction book explores the sea and looks at what kinds of plants and creatures live there including fish, jellyfish, seaweed and seals!Pink A/Band 1B books offer simple, predictable text with familiar objects and actionsPhotographs of all the different things that can be found in the sea on pages 1415 help children to recap and provide a wealth of speaking and listening opportunities.Text type: A non-fiction reportCurriculum links: Understanding of the world

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Book SynopsisRich and strange from the tip of its title to its deep-sunk bones' Robert MacfarlaneFrom the author of Leviathan, or, The Whale, comes a composite portrait of the subtle, beautiful, inspired and demented ways in which we have come to terms with our watery planet.In the third of his watery books, the author goes in pursuit of human and animal stories of the sea. Of people enchanted or driven to despair by the water, accompanied by whales and birds and seals familiar spirits swimming and flying with the author on his meandering odyssey from suburbia into the unknown.Along the way, he encounters drowned poets and eccentric artists, modernist writers and era-defining performers, wild utopians and national heroes famous or infamous, they are all surprisingly, and sometimes fatally, linked to the sea.Out of the storm-clouds of the twenty-first century and our restive time, these stories reach back into the past and forward into the future. This is a shape-shifting world that has never beenTrade Review‘Rarely have I read a book that felt as if it were speaking so directly, so confidentially to me. RISINGTIDEFALLINGSTAR is about books and about swimming, but most of all it does what all great books do: makes you feel that it’s a private conversation between you and the author. I finished it with an obscure feeling of privilege, to have been granted such access to Hoare’s most secret, intimate self … RISINGTIDEFALLINGSTAR is a masterpiece’ Alex Preston, Observer ‘A rich and strange combination of memoir, travelogue and literary biography … RISINGTIDEFALLINGSTAR contains much of wonder in words strewn across its pages like treasures revealed on the sand by a retreating tide’ Caspar Henderson, Financial Times ‘This is an exquisite read, stuffed with dark myths and eerie legends, nourished by the author’s sublime gift for poetic description’ Michael Simkins, Mail on Sunday ‘Hoare conveys a redemptive sense of the wide, continuous and beautiful world, in a remarkable book that sometimes feels rather loosely fitted together, but is always rich and strange’ Guardian ‘His idiosyncratic tales of mariners, adventurers and the odd dilettante rise almost to the level of poetry … he evokes the sense of majesty that a seascape can inspire in us’ Clive Davis, The Times ‘Wonderful…This beautifully written book is a delight’BBC Radio 4 The themes and preoccupations are familiar from Hoare’s previous writing … but their revisiting here reveals a landscape as exhilarating different as that of the foreshore from one tide to the next’ Jane Shilling, Evening Standard ‘Hoare writes with a beautiful and liquid assurance, luxuriantly at home in this half-modernist, half-conventional medium and capable of astonishingly realised visions of floating moments and sea encounters’ Adam Nicholson, Spectator ‘A swirling, poetic reverie’ Esquire ‘He is poetic and precise…a rich portrait of the sea as an imaginative landscape’ TLS ‘Written with a poetic beauty’ i newspaper

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Book Synopsis''Armed with this intrepid survey, we can see a brave new world down there on the beach ... Exquisite revelation, of the most wonderful, watery kind.'' - Philip HoareFor many, the highlights of seaside holidays are rockpooling and gathering the glorious array of shells left strewn on the beach after the receding tide. Attracted by the infinite variety of shapes and colours, visitors can never resist making a souvenir collection of their own - but little do they suspect the fascinating lives of the animals who once occupied them. What if each shell had a story of its own to tell us, if only we knew the language? Mr Street's delightful, informative guide uncovers the secret history of each common shell, revealing not only which marine creature once inhabited it but the unique challenges of its watery habitat it had to solve. From barnacles to oysters, cockles to

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Book SynopsisSeahorses are instantly recognisable and have been a part of our culture for millennia, yet we still know very little about these enigmatic creatures.Steve Trewhella and Julie Hatcher have spent hundreds of hours in British waters observing native seahorses, witnessing at first hand how they behave in the wild, and how they interact with the other plants and animals in their underwater realm.With stunning photography, In the Company of Seahorses paints a rich picture of a mysterious world amongst swaying seagrass and colourful seaweeds. The accompanying text is packed with personal anecdotes describing the authors' journey of discovery, illustrating for the first time the secretive lives of these elusive animals in British waters.By sharing one couple's passion for an entrancing ocean icon, this book aims to inspire, inform and create a better understanding of the seahorse and its often vulnerable habitats around the British coastline.

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Book SynopsisTwenty metres below water, the oceanographer François Sarano came face to face with a five-and-a-half metre great white shark. Seduced by the gentle elegance of this majestic creature, Sarano experienced a profound sense of affinity with her as they swam side by side, shoulder to shoulder, eye to eye, cutting a single figure through the ocean depths. It was an experience which made him realize the depth of our ignorance of the lives of sharks, leading him to become a passionate advocate for their protection. Drawing on the latest scientific research on the biology and ethology of sharks and their exceptional characteristics, this book aims to break through the barrier of prejudice and to pay homage to their true nature. Representing a last vestige of wildness, their populations are nevertheless under threat – like so many species, they have been hunted and exploited by humans. Sarano argues for a change of mindset in which we lose ourselves in the world of the other, so that each living entity, human and non-human, can take their rightful place in the broader global ecosystem.Trade Review‘In a prior incarnation, François Sarano lived as a shark. Here he shares the experiences of swimming, sensing, feeding and thinking as a shark. The book is a brilliant and beautiful advance towards interspecies communication.’Jesse Ausubel, The Rockefeller University, New York City‘When it comes to our relations with sharks, there’s a lot that needs fixing. Sarano’s passionate, eye-opening book sets the record straight about one of the most misunderstood and unfairly demonized groups of animals on Earth.’Jonathan Balcombe, author of What a Fish Knows and A Boy and a FishTable of ContentsForeword by Sandra Bessudo Introduction: Giving the ‘Voiceless’ a Voice 1. A Matter of Misunderstanding: From Pliny to Disney 2. Shark? What Shark? 3. Giving Life 4. Inside the Shark’s Head 5. On the Road to Personality 6. The Shark, Where it Belongs 7. The Ocean is their Garden 8. Fading Silhouettes 9. The Confrontation 10. Reconciliation Notes List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisTake a deep breathSteve Backshall was nine years old the first time he saw a shark, while on holiday with his family in Malaysia. It was the beginning of a life-long fascination with these 'lords of the sea', and the oceanic life around them. His career as one of the world's most popular naturalists and explorers has taken him to countless underwater places, many never before seen by others. And he's also been witness to the startling decline in fortune of our oceans' wild inhabitants over the past fifty years. Deep Blue is a book a lifetime in the making: a remarkable blend of memoir, travel, and marine and environmental science that takes us on an unforgettable tour of the many worlds of aquatic life: from underwater deserts and rainforests to the evolution of ocean heroes like the sea turtle and the Great White, from the genesis of ocean life to the rapidly declining state of white polar seas and coral reefs. It's both a love letter to our precious oceans and rallying cry for what we must to do save them.

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Book SynopsisWith the whimsy and heart of The Soul of an Octopus and the surprising details of the very best science writing, The Curious World of Seahorses brilliantly captures the ocean’s most charismatic and mysterious inhabitant."When God created the seahorse," says one marine biologist, "he may have had one too many."Of all the creatures in the ocean, there are none more charming and magical—or more strange—than the seahorses. Masters of disguise, graceful dancers, and romantic lovers, seahorses are found not only in the seagrass meadows and mangroves of the world, but also throughout the annals of human history and culture—surfacing everywhere from chess and Greek mythology to Disney movies like The Little Mermaid and Pokémon games.Equipped with a pouch like a kangaroo, a long snout like an anteater, and complete with a crown unique as a human fingerprint, the seahorse defies easy categorization. The only fish to swim in an upright position, seahorses are terrible swimmers, but they make up for it with an incredible talent for holding onto seagrass or coral. They have no stomach or teeth—only intestines. Most seahorses are monogamous, and meet with their life partner every few weeks to perform a dance that can last up to nine hours. The most unique aspect of the seahorse is their reproductive cycle, as it is the male of the species who becomes pregnant.In this entertaining and informative book, science writer Till Hein shares the most tantalizing findings from the world of seahorses, and the role they have played in human culture. He reveals their secrets, from their intriguing biological features and hunting strategy to their use in medicine throughout history, their appearances in Greek and Celtic mythology, and even the medieval belief that they descended from dragons.Endlessly fascinating and charmingly approachable, The Curious World of Seahorses will captivate any reader looking to learn more about one of the most incredible creatures on Earth.Trade Review“A quirky little book, the kind that captures the imagination. This is a deep and entertaining dive into the world of the one-of-a-kind sea animal, our fascination with them, their future in a time of climate change and their importance to communities around the world.”—The Toronto Star"[An] illuminating—and sobering—overview of arguably the most magical creature in the sea... Hein exposes humans as horrific threats to these marvelous beings’ lives and habitats. Readers will remain fascinated and, hopefully, concerned long past the final page."—Booklist STARRED ReviewAn enlightening deep-dive... A diverting look at an aquatic wonder.”—Publishers Weekly“Whether speaking taxonomically, mythologically, physiologically, or historically, seahorses truly are a bit of an enigma. The Curious World of Seahorses covers everything most people know about seahorses and a whole bunch more you'd never guess about them. Each chapter helps the read explore and gain some insight into the everyday life of the seahorse, as well as tell the story of human fascination with the tiny horse of the sea. Definitely a great read for anyone intrigued by the marine world and certainly for lovers of the seahorse.”—Renee Becher,The Crowded Bookshelf"Not just a compelling read, but also a love letter to the strangest creatures of the ocean—seahorses.—Frauke Bagusche, author of The Blue Wonder"This delightful book plunges deeply into the strange lives of one of the ocean’s most enigmatic groups of fishes. From mystery to myth, history to technology, exploitation to protection, Till Hein’s book should appeal to a wide readership."—Jonathan Balcombe, author of Super Fly and What a Fish Knows"An easy read, yet chock-full of information. Till Hein makes clear that protecting seahorses is a vital step toward healing the entire ocean."—Daniel Pauly, principal investigator at The Sea Around Us and author of Vanishing Fish"Every chapter in this book makes me more obsessed with seahorses. The slowest swimming yet most effective hunters in the ocean? Check. Eyes that can move separately from each other, fin color that change on demand, and a digestive system with no stomach? Check! A prehensile tail that is strong enough to latch onto an anchor and withstand a predator's grab? Check! Indeed, this book is a treasure trove of everything scientific, mythic, and magic about these remarkable creatures. Saddle up for a mind-bending read!"—Wendy Wasserman, Politics & Prose

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Book SynopsisWhat is a crab? What significance do crabs play in the world? In Crab, Cynthia Chris discovers that these charming creatures are social by nature, creative problem-solvers, and invaluable members of the environments in which they live. Their formidable physical forms, their hard-to-harvest and quick-to-spoil flesh, and their sassy demeanour have inspired artists and writers from Vincent van Gogh to Jean-Paul Sartre. Cynthia Chris sketches vivid portraits of these animals, tracing the history of the crab through its ancient fossil record to its essential role in protecting its own habitats from the threat of climate change.Trade Review'This book explores everything that is interesting about crabs; from their weird and wonderful behaviours, their evolution, whether they experience pain, how they are depicted in literature, and even how fights have broken out over the last crab legs at the buffet. This is no dry scientific text. It is the ‘story’ of crabs; gripping, fascinating, beautiful. Cynthia Chris is part detective, part scientist and always an exceptionally good writer. She has dug through the literature, spoken to the scientists and watched crabs in action. Her magnificent book will enthrall scientists and beginners alike. I cannot recommend this superb book too highly.'-Patricia Backwell, Professor of Biology, Australian National University

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Book SynopsisThe image of the pirate never fails to capture the imagination. The cut-throat sea robbers of history who plundered richly laden merchant ships are legendary. The likes of Blackbeard, Captain Kidd and Henry Morgan are romanticised and celebrated in popular culture. But fiction has taken the place of fact. Piracy was more brutal and rebellious than some of the best artistic depictions let on and in reality, few know the truth about this ruthless trade. What is the difference between a buccaneer and a corsair? Did pirates really bury their treasure? Is piracy still a threat to shipping today? Pirates: Fact & Fiction brings together the National Maritime Museum's rich collection of flags, weapons, maps and fine artworks to explain the intriguing history of the pirate trade. It is the first port of call for anyone keen to separate the fact from the fiction.

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Book SynopsisIn this fully illustrated, compact volume, Jane Matthews takes us on a journey around this world-renowned bird paradise off the Pembrokeshire coast.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"One of British Birds' Best Bird Books of 2019""An inspiration for future seabirding trips, a knowledge base for more familiar species, and a sheer delight to drool over the amazing images of gadfly petrels, alcids, albatrosses and storm petrels … anyone with an interest in seabirds needs to buy this guide."---Mark Newsome, BirdGuides"A remarkable bird guide; it contains an unusual depth of ornithological and taxonomic knowledge combined with field expertise, organized in a readable manner that focuses almost entirely on bird identification. It is full of visual identification goodies and smart observations, facts and maps, up-to-date taxonomy and hundreds of photographs." * 10,000 Birds Book Review *"It is excellent, the text is comprehensive and ID features do get pointed out. . . Series world birders will want this on their bookshelves as will dedicated sea watchers." * Fat Birder *"How often have you read a fieldguide from cover to cover within two weeks? For me the anser is: once. In case of this one. . . . buy it!"---Rinse van der Vliet, Dutch Birding"This book will undoubtedly set a new standard for many years to come."---Michael Scott, Conservation Biology"This is an excellent book . . . . A celebration of the diversity and beauty of the world’s seabirds. . . . It is indeed a major achievement to have photographed so many of them and to present them in one publication. This is a ‘must have’ addition to any keen birder’s library."---Nic Hallam, IBIS Book Reviews

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Book SynopsisAnn Elias traces the history of two explorers whose photographs and films of tropical reefs in the 1920s cast corals and the sea as an unexplored territory to be exploited in ways that tied the tropics and reefs to colonialism, racism, and the human domination of nature.Trade Review"Coral Empire’s postcolonial jeremiad also registers the joyful endurance of surrealist visions of the submarine as a deliriously consciousness-altering realm." -- James Delbourgo * TLS *"[This] book shows that interdisciplinarity is possible. Elias combines the history of underwater cinematography and diving with attention to the surrealist art movement, natural history collecting, colonialism, and the history of tourism, and through this rich patchwork traces shifting popular interpretations of coral imagery in the early twentieth century." -- Antony Adler * Environmental History *"Ann Elias’ fascinating book couldn’t come at a better time. . . . Elias focuses on long neglected images from cinema, dioramas from museums, and illustrations from the press. She cleverly articulates them through a set of unexpected global connections that powerfully mobilise all the transforming ideas of empire, race, technology and nature at the time." -- Martyn Jolly * Australian Historical Studies *"This book is well written and the short chapters make it extremely readable. In addition, the book is beautifully printed, with black-and-white images embedded in chapters and their color counterparts inserted in the middle of the book. It is refreshing to see a book that relies on the reading of images paying such close attention to their reproduction in the text." -- Samantha Muka * H-Net Reviews *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Introduction 1 Part I. The Coral Uncanny 1. Coral Empire 15 2. Mad Love 29 Part II. John Ernest Williamson and the Bahamas 3. Williamson and the Photosphere 49 4. The Field Museum—Williamson Undersea Expedition 68 5. Under the Sea 83 6. Williamson in Australia 97 Part III. Frank Hurley and the Great Barrier Reef 7. Hurley and the Floor of the Sea 117 8. Hurley and the Australian Museum Expedition 131 9. Pearls and Savages 147 10. Hurley and the Torres Strait Diver 165 Part IV. Hurley and Williamson 11. Explorers and Modern Media 185 12. Color and Tourism 199 Part V. The Great Acceleration 13. The Anthropocene 217 Conclusion 230 Notes 235 Bibliography 261 Index 277

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Book SynopsisWatching and recording the gradual dismantling of life, beauty and diversity in our oceans is a tortuous experience for scientists. Our oceans function as earth’s organs and our survival depends on their health. Yet in the last fifty years half of coral reefs have disappeared, only 10% of large fish remain and many species are at the brink of collapse. Unsustainable fishing practices, pollution – including 20 million tonnes of plastic entering the oceans yearly – and rising temperatures are continued threats. Even as the sense of urgency to save our oceans continues to grow, at the time we publish this book, an estimate of only 2% of all global philanthropic and charitable donations go to protecting the environment. Of this, only a tiny fraction go toward supporting and safeguarding our oceans. Brimming with spectacular, full-page photography of underwater scenes from the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern and Arctic oceans and many seas, Call of the Blue tells the stories of positive, focused people who are working to save our oceans. The first book of its kind, Call of the Blue unites more than 100 modern-day explorers, sailors, free divers, film-makers, lawmakers and conservationists who talk about their lives, passions and exploits on, in or under the water. Call of the Blue demonstrates how the efforts of individuals and communities can inspire and drive change. Notable contributors include United States Senator Sheldon Whitehouse; explorer and BBC presenter Paul Rose; Danish environmentalist and Director General of the IUCN Inger Andersen; French photojournalist and UNEP Goodwill Ambassador Yann Arthus-Bertrand; and American marine biologist Edith Widder (to name only a few). Contributors include hardworking men and women from around the world including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, France, India, Mozambique, Mauritius, Ecuador and more. Alongside these passionate and necessary voices, Philip Hamilton’s mesmerising images – of reefs, blue whales, salt water crocodiles, manatees, sea lions, sailfish, penguin, mantas, jellyfish, turtles, sharks, pygmy sea horses and more – provide readers a glimpse of some of the world’s most stunning underwater locations, bringing into sharp focus all we are at risk to lose.

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Book SynopsisA startling book, his most personal to date, from Philip Hoare, co-curator of the Moby-Dick Big Read and winner of the 2009 Samuel Johnson Prize for Leviathan'.The sea surrounds us. It gives us life, provides us with the air we breathe and the food we eat. It is ceaseless change and constant presence. It covers two-thirds of our planet. Yet caught up in our everyday lives, we barely notice it.In The Sea Inside', Philip Hoare sets out to rediscover the sea, its islands, birds and beasts. He begins on the south coast where he grew up, a place of almost monastic escape. From there he travels to the other side of the world the Azores, Sri Lanka, New Zealand in search of encounters with animals and people. Navigating between human and natural history, he asks what these stories mean for us now.Along the way we meet an amazing cast; from scientists to tattooed warriors; from ravens to whales and bizarre creatures that may, or may not, be extinct. Part memoir, part fantastical travelogue, TTrade Review‘As bracing as a great blustery lungful of ozone-filled air … Hoare has wonderful, almost child-like relish for colourful stories and incredible facts … His passionate engagement will infect you. As you close this book, you will probably feel as ecstatic as the author does after one of his cold morning dips.’ Rachel Campbell-Johnston, The Times ‘A beautifully written mixture of travelogue and essay … Hoare has invented a new genre: an elegy for something not yet lost.’ David Evans, Independent on Sunday ‘A passionate, wonderfully engaging book … His oceanic pursuit of the most remarkable animals on the planet has produced two books of the utmost interest.’ Christopher Hirst, Independent ‘Everything he writes is remarkably interesting, and always expressed in his singular prose, at the one and the same time both exact and numinous … Hoare’s enthusiasms are boundless … packed full of strange delights – perhaps a bit of a ragbag, but what rags! And what a bag!’ Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday **** ‘A grand cabinet of natural curiosities … The pace is exhilarating. The learning is profound. The surprises are tumultuous and the simple love of nature, in all its forms … is a delight.’ Jan Morris, Sunday Telegraph ‘Ceaselessly fascinating … In flowing, liquid prose, Hoare is drawn back and forth from story to story, place to place … This is a magnificent book.’ Carl Wilkinson, Financial Times ‘A profound and lyrical love affair.’ Bella Bathurst, Observer ‘Hoare weaves together stories of magic, faith and fear, of wilderness, destruction, mortality and nature’s often savage beauty … This is a work where it pays to go with the flow.’Gerard Henderson, Daily Express **** ‘Glorious stuff.’ Caspar Henderson, Guardian ‘The pace is exhilarating. The learning is profound’ Telegraph

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Book SynopsisThis 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.Table of ContentsIntroduction Characteristics of Seashore Wildlife Zonation of Seashore Life Splash Zone Upper Shore Middle Shore Lower Shore Seashore Habitats Rocky Shores Rock Pools Shingle Beaches Sandy Shores Muddy Shores & Salt Marshes Seashore Wildlife Seaweeds Flowering Plants Lichens Sponges Jellyfishes Sea-anemones Bristle Worms Molluscs Crustaceans Insects Sea-spiders Echinoderms Birds Mammals

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Book SynopsisLooking to the vast human history of water worship, a crucial study of our broken relationship with all things aquatic - and how we might mend it. Early human relationships with water were expressed through beliefs in serpentine aquatic deities: rainbow-coloured, feathered or horned serpents, giant anacondas and dragons. Representing the powers of water, these beings were bringers of life and sustenance, world creators, ancestors, guardian spirits and law makers. Worshipped and appeased, they embodied people's respect for water and its vital role in sustaining all living things. Yet today, though we still recognise that 'water is life', fresh- and saltwater ecosystems have been critically compromised by human activities. This major study of water beings, and what has happened to them in different cultural and historical contexts, demonstrates how and why some - but not all - societies have moved from worshipping water to wreaking havoc upon it, and asks what we can do to turn the tide. 'A far-ranging and gorgeously illustrated study, Water Beings explores humanity's enduring but always transforming connections to the wellsprings of life. A profound and entertaining book for a time when reimagining humanity's future has never been more vital.' - Caspar Henderson, author of The Book of Barely Imagined Beings 'With passion, rigor and creative depth, Strang eloquently takes readers across the world to further our understanding of water's natural, cultural, and symbolic qualities. Water beings are brought to life alongside relational beliefs and practices. This is a magnificent work that reflects a rich human/water/culture relationship, and explores possibilities to avoid a climate crisis future.' - Sandy Toussaint, University of Western Australia 'A spellbinding anthropological itinerary through the winding ways of serpentine water beings as they have manifested through history and across cultures. Luminously illustrated, ingeniously researched, and beautifully narrated, Strang's book is a treasure, a store of revelatory stories about how materiality, meaning, and myth have intertwined to create the aqueous spirits and deities that have accompanied human being and becoming.' - Stefan Helmreich, Elting E. Morison Professor of Anthropology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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Book SynopsisTransform your seaside walk into a practice in mindfulness. In a take-anywhere package, this darling pocket guide is the perfect companion for your next beachcombing adventure. Discover surprising facts about shoreline treasures-including abalone, sand dollars, sea stars, and wrack-as well as simple ways to center yourself in a place of stillness. With calming meditations that connect you to the sounds, smells, and textures of the coast, Beachcombing makes it easy to enjoy quiet, contemplative moments by the ocean. Coastal dwellers, ocean-lovers, environmentalists, and mindfulness practitioners will adore this delightful book, which makes a lovely gift alongside binoculars, a beach towel, or a sun hat.

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Book SynopsisA lavish and definitive view of the oceanic world - accompanying the landmark 7-part BBC series narrated by Sir David Attenborough. With over 200 breath-taking photographs and stills from the BBC Natural History Unit's spectacular footage, this awe-inspiring study of life below the surface will amaze and enthral.'Jaw-dropping' - Variety'Substantial and awe-inspiring' - Publishers Weekly'Breath-taking' -- ***** Reader review'An incredible book and a must buy' -- ***** Reader review'Outstanding' -- ***** Reader review*************************************************************************Take a deep breath and dive into the mysteries of the ocean...Our understanding of ocean life has changed dramatically in the last decade, with new species, new behaviours, and new habitats being discovered at a rapid rate. Blue Planet II, which accompanies the epic BBC 7-part series, is a ground-breaking new look at the richness and variety of underwater life across our planet.From ambush hunters such as the carnivorous bobbit worm to cuttlefish mesmerising their prey with a pulsating light display, Blue Planet II reveals the never-before-seen secrets of the ocean.With over 200 breath-taking photographs and stills from the BBC Natural History Unit's spectacular footage, each chapter of Blue Planet II brings to life a different habitat of the oceanic world.As well as shining a light on ocean life, coral reef and arctic ice communities and shoreline existence, Blue Planet II examines unflinchingly what the future holds for our ocean dwellers. It's a book that will amaze, educate, captivate and astound.

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Book SynopsisThis book explores the lives of the world's largest living mammals. Drawing on the latest scientific research, Whales describes these incredible animals' evolution from terrestrial to marine mammals, their life cycle, diversity and distribution, and the ecosystems of which they are a part. Whales highlights the many extraordinary aspects of...Trade ReviewThis remarkable book is a rare beast – packing a blue whale-sized amount of information into a porpoise-compact volume. The authors, all researchers at the highly regarded Sea Mammal Research Unit at University of St Andrews, really know their stuff, and it shows in coverage of a wide range of aspects of whale evolution, ecology and, most fascinating of all, whale culture. In addition, Whales does not flinch from exploring our, at times, shameful relationship with these compelling animals and the seas and rivers in which they live. * BBC Wildlife *Overall, the breadth of information and illustrations are excellent. Although the volume has a broad focus, several characteristics of the biology and behavior of this diverse mammalian group are adequately explored. Finally, by highlighting certain aspects of conducting research on free-ranging whales, readers will come away with an appreciation of the difficulties associated with studying these highly specialized animals, despite the many advances in technology. As such, this book provides a great introduction to the world of whales for general readers as well as university students who may be considering a career in research or conservation of these magnificent creatures. * Quarterly Review of Biology *This book is an intellectual appetizer plate for readers. It surveys many topics on whale evolution, ecology, anatomy, physiology, behavior, and human interactions but only lightly touches each topic. By doing so, the authors provide an introduction to a broad sweep of whale biology without producing a massive, dense tome. * Choice *Table of ContentsWhat is a whale?1. There and back again2. Whales everywhere3. The circle of life4. The greatest free-divers5. Eat and be eaten6. Whale culture7. Changing attitudes8. Changing OceansFurther InformationIndexAcknowledgements

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"An easy book to read and a good one to keep for reference . . . . an invaluable information source."---Steve Weinman, Diver Magazine

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Book SynopsisBeat the boredom and take time out from screens with this pocket-sized book packed with facts, photos and fantastic spots for hours of fun!Kids will have fun collecting points at the seaside with more than 140 things to find. From ships and rescue vehicles to rock pools and seaweed, they'll learn all about life by the sea. And once they've scored 1000 points, super-spotters can claim their official i-SPY certificate and badge.With more than 30 i-SPY books to collect, there's something for everyone!For even more fun at the seaside check out the i-SPY At the Seaside Activity Book (ISBN 9780008392871).Trade Review“A fun, interactive way to encourage curious children to learn about the world around them.” – Parents In touch

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Book SynopsisDolphins have long been attributed with intelligence, but do they have souls? Self-awareness? Compassion? Scott Taylor, Director of the Cetacean Studies Institute, investigates the history, mythology, and science surrounding these creatures and emerges with a resounding yes. And not only do whales and dolphins merit our attention and respect in their own right: they are an index to what our future as a species can be. In this multi-faceted cetology compendium, Taylor surveys the portrayal of dolphins and whales in works of literature as disparate as Moby Dick and Sumerian legend, examines biologist John Lilly''s research on interspecies communication, and explores the benefits of dolphin-assisted swimming therapy for disabled children and adults. Looking at the world from the perspective of one of these 'souls in the sea,' Taylor suggests that cetaceans are an ideal bridge between humanity and nature. Poetically written and thoughtfully illustrated with photos and drawings, Souls in the Sea is a comprehensive celebration of the biology, history, and mystique of dolphins and whales.

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Book SynopsisShallow Seas are the most biologically rich and productive areas of the world ocean. This latest New Naturalist volume provides a natural history of this environment and its biological communities.Trade ReviewPraise for Peter Hayward’s previous volume on Seashore: ‘Scientifically accurate throughout, and there are plenty of interesting insights’ British Wildlife Praise for the New Naturalist series: ‘A glory of British publishing’ The Sunday Times ‘Taken either individually or as a whole, they are one of the proudest achievements of modern publishing’ The Sunday Times ‘The series is an amazing achievement’ The Times Literary Supplement ‘The books are glorious to own’ Independent

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Book SynopsisThe seagrass meadows of the Northeast Coast of Brazil have the greatest area, biomass, biometrics and diversity of the Brazilian Coast. In this region, the seagrass diversity and plasticity may vary due to differences in environmental factors. Some natural aspects of the coastal environment or that which affect the coastal zone, mainly climatic (seasons of rains and winds) and geomorphological (bathymetry and substrate type), cause variations in seasonality and plasticity of the species, respectively. Chapter One in this book on aquatic ecosystems summarises the available information concerning how seagrass vary along the Northeast Coast of Brazil, as well as other ecological information. Chapter Two presents a brief historical overview of biological indicators, considering the assessment of water quality through microalgae from an environmental perspective and their role as natural bioindicators of the effects of eutrophication. Chapter Three provides a mixing zone analysis of surface brine discharges in coastal waters. Chapter Four studies the effect of low salinity on intertidal blue mussels from the White Sea.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisIn this warm, lively, salty account of living on and by the sea, Drummond writes of fishing and feuds, of life as an apprentice fisherwoman, and of all the fish that got away. SALT STORY pays homage to sea-dogs, fisherwomen, oystermen and storytellers everywhere.

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Book SynopsisA specially designed plastic box of 45 postcards from the award-winning book.

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Book SynopsisBringing an eccentric creativity to the romance of the beach, Marlene Hurley Marshall shows you how to use shells to bring a sea-infused decorative flair into your own home. Lavish photography, profiles of contemporary shell artists, and simple instructions for 35 remarkable projects will inspire you to get crafting. From adding a few shells to a picture frame or lampshade to encrusting a small bathtub with an eye-catching assemblage, you’ll be astounded at the variety of ways you can brighten your home with shells.

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