Amber Forest: Beauty and Biology of California's Submarine Forests [Paperback]

Ronald H. McPeak (Author), Dale A. Glantz (Author), Carole R. Shaw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 27, 1999

Glossy color photos are prevalent in this book featuring the beauty and biology of California's submarine forests.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dale Glantz is senior marine biologist at ISP Alginates in San Diego, California where he is responsible for monitoring the health of kelp resources around the world. Dale is an avid pilot, scuba diver, and photographer. Dale's photographs have appeared in numerous publications and have been displayed at such locations as the Smithsonian Institute and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Dale has won many photo awards including best of marine life in the National Wildlife Federation's "Nature's Best" competition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Aqua Quest Publications (July 27, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0922769001
• ISBN-13: 978-0922769001
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,023,942 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine introduction to a little known world, July 12, 2002

By 

Jerald R Lovell (Clinton Township, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amber Forest: Beauty and Biology of California's Submarine Forests (Paperback)

The kelp beds along the central and northern California coasts are a vast botanical and zoological wonderland known by few, and probably appreciated by less, given their history of commercial exploitation. Kelp are some of the largest plants in the world.

The book begins with an examination of kelp itself, its reproductive and growth processes, and its role in ceating a unique, delicate ecosystem. Attention is then turned to marvelous fishes, mollusks, birds, and and mammals, including the once nearly extinct california sea otter. The book also addresses the many uses of kelp, and the nuances of its harvesting and its long overdue conservation.

The book is very well organized and written. The four-color photographs are a delight, as well as being helpful in understanding the text.

I was fortunate enough to buy this book at the Monterey Aquarium, which must be visited, before actually seeing the kelp in the wild. I found that reading the book was a boon in appreciating and understanding what I was looking at, particularly in drives along the Big Sur coast and in Point Lobos State Park, which is worth at least one full day on its own. If you are going to this part of the world, or if you live there, this book is a must. Very highly recommended.