The largest seaweed, giant kelp (Macrocystis) is the fastest growing and most prolific of all plants found on earth. Growing from the seafloor and extending along the ocean surface in lush canopies, giant kelp provides an extensive vertical habitat in a largely two-dimensional seascape. It is the foundation for one of the most species-rich, productive, and widely distributed ecological communities in the world. Schiel and Foster’s scholarly review and synthesis take the reader from Darwin’s early observations to contemporary research, providing a historical perspective for the modern understanding of giant kelp evolution, biogeography, biology, and physiology. The authors furnish a comprehensive discussion of kelp species and forest ecology worldwide, with considerations of human uses and abuses, management and conservation, and the current and likely future impacts of global change. This volume promises to be the definitive treatise and reference on giant kelp and its forests for many years, and it will appeal to marine scientists and others who want a better appreciation and understanding of these wondrous forests of the sea.

The largest seaweed, giant kelp (Macrocystis) is the fastest growing and most prolific of all plants found on earth. Growing from the seafloor and extending along the ocean surface in lush canopies, giant kelp provides an extensive vertical habitat in a largely two-dimensional seascape. It is the foundation for one of the most species-rich, productive, and widely distributed ecological communities in the world. Schiel and FosterÕs scholarly review and synthesisÊtake the reader from DarwinÕs early observations to contemporary research, providing a historical perspective for the modern understanding of giant kelp evolution, biogeography, biology, and physiology. The authors furnish a comprehensive discussion of kelp species and forest ecology worldwide, with considerations of human uses and abuses, management and conservation, and the current and likely future impacts of global change. This volume promises to be the definitive treatise and reference on giant kelp and its forests for many years, and it will appeal to marine scientists and others who want a better appreciation and understanding of these wondrous forests of the sea.

Reflecting the increasing interest in the field and its relevance in global environmental issues, Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review provides authoritative reviews that summarize results of recent research in basic areas of marine research, exploring topics of special and topical importance while adding to new areas as they arise. This volume, part of a series that regards the all marine sciences as a complete unit, features contributions from experts involved in biological, chemical, geological, and physical aspects of marine science. Including a full color insert and an extensive reference list, the text is an essential reference for researchers and students in all fields of marine science.

Our natural history series brings you closer to living marine and coastal communities, where you'll come face to face with some of the more interesting residents. Richly illustrated with color photographs and illustrations, these books make great references for amateur naturalists and students alike. Explore undersea forests that shelter an endless variety of sea life, including anemones and moon jellies, red octopus and playful sea otters.

This updated and expanded guide thoroughly documents every aspect of seaweed life, from species identification and seaweed biology to the essential—and often surprising—roles seaweed plays in the marine ecosystem and our everyday lives. Seaweeds are used in everything from cosmetics to sustainable biofuels, and some species, like kelp, contribute to the remediation of coastal ecosystems. Featuring an attractive new full-color design, the expanded Pacific Seaweeds includes updated species descriptions, dozens of additional color photos, new species discovered since the original edition, and brand-new sections on common shore plants and the use of DNA techniques to discover, catalog and identify seaweeds. It also features several new recipes and an essay on umami—because in addition to all its other uses, some species of seaweed make delectable food. Packed with illustrations, vivid color photographs, comprehensive scientific information and further readings, this easy-to-use guidebook will appeal to marine biologists, amateur beachcombers, gourmet foragers and everyone in between.

It is a pleasure and a distinct honour for me to greet the participants, guests and ob servers of this Fourth International Symposium on Antarctic Biology which has adopted nutrient cycles and food webs as its central theme. On behalf of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and other bodies of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU), I bid you welcome. SCAR is pleased to acknowledge the role of the co-sponsors for this Symposium which include the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR), the Interna tional Association of Biological Oceanography (IABO), and the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS). In addition, SCAR and its co-sponsors wish to acknowledge the financial support of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Re search (CSIR) and the Department of Transport (DOT) of the South African govern ment. Nor should we forget to acknowledge also the role of the South African Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SASCAR) and one of its leaders and Vice President of SCAR, Mr. Jan de Wit, in arranging this charming venue for this Symposium.

"A major landmark contribution to fisheries science and fish ecology. Rockfish populations are in a severe decline throughout the Northeastern Pacific, and the need for a deep understanding of their biology, ecology, and management has never been more critical. This book addresses all aspects of our current knowledge of this diverse and interesting group of groundfish species, and it is written clearly and with humor. An outstanding work!"--Larry G. Allen, California State University, Northridge "Quite simply the best account ever of the fascinating, diverse, and valuable rockfishes. If you are interested in the marine fishes of the Pacific Coast, you need this book."--Peter B. Moyle, author of Inland Fishes of California

This is a complete, systematic treatment of the marine algae (seaweeds) flora of California. The 726 species treated are each illustrated by a detailed line drawing made from an actual specimen. The two authors have drawn upon their phycological research to offer a definitive representation of benthic marine algae from the Californian coast. The floristic treatment in this first paperback edition should aid accurate and speedy identification of flora due to the improved keys, descriptions, illustrations and more detailed coverage of taxa, and should enhance the reader's knowledge of Californian macro-algae.

The impetus for this volume comes from two sources. The first is scientific: by virtue of a preference for certain large benthic invertebrates as food, sea otters have interesting and significant effects on the structure and dynamics of nearshore communities in the North Pacific. The second is political: be cause of the precarious status of the sea otter population in coastal California, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced, in June 1984, a proposal to establish a new population of sea otters at San Nicolas Island, off southern California. The proposal is based on the premise that risks of catastrophic losses of sea otters, due to large oil spills, are greatly reduced by distributing the population among two geographically separate locations. The federal laws of the U.S. require that USFWS publish an Environmental Impact Statement (ElS) regarding the proposed translocation of sea otters to San Nicolas Island. The EIS is intended to be an assessment of likely bio logical, social, and economic effects of the proposal. In final form, the EIS has an important role in the decision of federal management authority (in this case, the Secretary of the Interior of the U.S.) to accept or reject the proposal.