Life in the World's Oceans: Diversity, Distribution, and Abundance

The sea has been a constant source of mystery and fascination throughout human history, from the first fishermen of early civilization to the latest deep sea research. Now in the ground breaking new title Life in the World’s Oceans: Diversity, Distribution and Abundance an international team of scientists present the first complete census of global marine life, while also charting mankind’s relationship with the oceans, past, present and future.

This truly landmark publication, edited by the late Alasdair D. McIntyre from the Census of Marine Life, represents 10 years of research, by 2000 scientists from 80 nations resulting in one of the most important marine science books ever published.

Divided into four broad sections the title explores the oceans of the past, reveals the oceans of present day and considers the oceans of the future, while the final section explains how the vast amount of research data was collated, integrated and utilised through the Ocean Biogeographic Information System.

In studying the history and future of the world’s oceans the book considers some of the most important issues in modern marine science including a look back in time at marine animal populations to consider the growing pressures of the fishing industry on wild fish resources, as well as the impact of a changing climate in shaping the oceans of the future.

By providing a complete census of marine life this title is massive in scope, ranging from an analysis of Caribbean coral reefs to exploring the frozen depths of the Antarctic and from tracking the great oceans predators of the Pacific to monitoring the global population of tiny, but crucial, microbes.

“This succinct compilation of the 17 major research projects of the international Census of Marine Life is a must for the bookshelf of any scientist who cares about the past, present, and future of ocean life,” said Dr Michele D. DuRand from the Memorial University of Newfoundland.

This generational title will quickly become the foundation of future research into marine life, not only for universities and research establishments, but for working oceanographers, environmental biologists and fisheries scientists. All research libraries should have copies of this essential book.

However, illustrated with hundreds of full colour photo images of marine life from across the world’s oceans and written by diverse scientific experts from around the globe this magnificent book will not only appeal to professional scientists and researchers. It will capture the imagination of all ocean enthusiasts and anyone who continues to share humanities’ wonderment with the sea and the creatures of the deep.