Understanding Marine Biodiversity [Hardcover]

National Research Council (Author), Natl ACA Press (Author), National Academy Press (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1995 | ISBN-10: 0309052254 | ISBN-13: 978-0309052252

The diversity of marine life is being affected dramatically by human activities. This book presents a national research agenda on marine biological diversity and proposes a fundamental change in studying the ocean. It explores critical environmental issues, advocates the use of regionally defined model systems, and identifies a series of key biodiversity research questions.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

The diversity of marine life is being affected dramatically by fishery operations, chemical pollution and eutrophication, alteration of physical habitat, exotic species invasion, and effects of other human activities. Effective solutions will require an expanded understanding of the patterns and processes that control the diversity of life in the sea.
Understanding Marine Biodiverity outlines the current state of our knowledge, and propose research agenda on marine biological diversity. This agenda represents a fundamental change in studying the ocean--emphasizing regional research across a range of space and time scales, enhancing the interface between taxonomy and ecology, and linking oceanographic and ecological approaches.
Highlighted with examples and brief case studies, this volume illustrates the depth and breadth of undescribed marine biodiversity, explores critical environmental issues, advocates the use of regionally defined model systems, and identifies a series of key biodiversity research questions. The authors examine the utility of various research approaches--theory and modeling, retrospective analysis, integration of biotic and oceanographic surveys--and review recent advances in molecular genetics, instrumentation, and sampling techniques applicable to the research agenda. Throughout the book the critical role of taxonomy is emphasized.
Informative to the scientist and accessible to the policymaker, Understanding Marine Biodiversity will be of specific interest to marine biologists, ecologists, oceanographers, and research administrators, and to government agencies responsible for utilizing, managing, and protecting the oceans. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Committee on Biological Diversity in Marine Systems, National Research Council --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 114 pages
• Publisher: National Academy Press (January 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0309052254
• ISBN-13: 978-0309052252
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,790,950 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)