Marine Biology: An Ecological Approach (4th Edition) [Hardcover]

James W. Nybakken (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0673994511 | ISBN-13: 978-0673994516 | Publication Date: October 1996 | Edition: 4th

Appropriate for undergraduate and graduate students in marine biology and ecology, Marine Biology emphasizes the ecological principles governing marine life throughout all environments within the world's oceans. This unique ecological approach adds real-world relevance by exploring how organisms interact within their individual ecosystems. The text is organized by habitat, each receiving detailed, in-depth coverage which gives instructors flexibility to focus on their particular areas of interest. The fourth edition is fully updated to include the latest research and new data on topics, such as global warming. In addition to Nybakken's engaging writing style, the text offers additional questions, full-color plates, and an enhanced art program that makes it accessible, as well as an excellent reference for future study.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Emphasizes the ecological principles that govern marine life throughout all environments within the world's oceans. Its unique ecological approach adds real-world relevance by exploring how organisms interact within their individual ecosystems. The book is organized by habitat and each habitat receives detailed, in-depth coverage, giving readers the flexibility to focus on their particular areas of interest. The Fifth Edition is fully updated with the latest research data and topics, including expanded coverage of the human impact on oceans, oceanic dead zones, and coral reefs. For marine biologists and marine ecologists. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Dr. James Nybakken is professor of biological sciences at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, a consortium operation of seven of the California State Universities. His research interests are in the feeding ecology of certain groups of predatory marine gastropod molluscs. He regularly teaches three undergraduate upper division courses, marine invertebrate zoology, marine ecology, and microscope techniques, and two graduate courses, biology of the mollusca and a seminar. Dr. Nybakken is a fellow of the California Academy of Sciences and has served as an officer in five scientific societies. He has also served as editor or peer reviewer for 11 scientific journals. He has published 32 scientific papers and is the sole author of four books and co-author of three others. His biography appears in seven different biographical books. His hobbies include growing orchids, making wine, and cooking.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 481 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins College Div; 4th edition (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0673994511
• ISBN-13: 978-0673994516
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,704,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great text, May 10, 2000

By 

Alan R. Holyoak - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marine Biology: An Ecological Approach (4th Edition) (Hardcover)

Most marine biology texts on the market are designed to support lower division courses for non-majors. Nybakken's text, however, is designed with the upper division biology major as its primary audience. This book is, in my opinion, the best book on the market to support an undergraduate course in marine biology for majors.

Nybakken takes a community ecology approach to his discussions of the marine environment. There are chapters that address communities of the plankton, nekton, deep sea, nearshore subtidal regions, intertidal habitats, estuaries and marshes, the tropics and the poles, and so forth.

The photographs and illustrations are good, the text is well written, and examples are widely known. It may be true that Nybakken tends to pull more heavily on examples from the West Coast of the USA, but there are also ample numbers of examples from other areas of the world that support the text.

Each chapter is supported by a list of references from the professional (primary) scientific literature -- something a serious biology student would appreciate and use.

This is an easy book to teach from and to learn from. The information is excellent, the examples are clear, and the supporting graphics are good.

It is also notable that Nybakken not only discusses the biology of marine organisms, but he addresses the stewardship we have to conserve the planet's vital assemblage of marine resouces and biodiversity.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting text, September 7, 2009

By 

Sleepypenguin45 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Marine Biology: An Ecological Approach (6th Edition) (Hardcover)

I had to buy this book for a marine ecology class. I found the text very easy to understand and straightforward. It covers a wide variety of subjects, but because of this it does not go into great detail on many things, which is unfortunate.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book review, January 20, 2009

By 

rubygoobie "rubygoobie" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Marine Biology: An Ecological Approach (5th Edition) (Hardcover)

The book was used and was in good condition. I actually kept the book after I was done with the class because it had good, useful information in there. I actually referenced this text when writing up lab reports for my ecology class.