Marine Biology

Book Description

Introductory, one-semester text designed for non-majors. Covers the basics of marine biology with a global approach using examples from numerous regions and ecosystems worldwide.

Customer Reviews:

Misleading, inaccurate waste of money.......2007-01-13

It's implied that this is a paperback version of Castro and Huber's "Marine Biology," when it most definitely is not. The definitions, presumably to help one understand the text's terms, are often laughably inaccurate in terms of marine bio, e.g.,"sinus" is defined as "a pouch or cavity in any organ or tissue..." when the word is used in the textbook to describe the Sinus Borealis, precursor to the Arctic Ocean. In a similar vein, "hot spots" are defined as "sites within a gene that mutate..." instead of hydrothermal vents. "Distribution" and "skin" are likewise erroneously (for marine bio) defined, and "Plate tectonics refers to the study of the global-scale movements of Earth's crust that have resulted in." Yes, that's the entire "definition." And these are just from Chapter Two! The glossary in the back of the real textbook is more than adequate, and much better than this so-called "ultimate student resource tool." The company was also impossible to reach, which we tried to do, in an honest attempt to inform them of their product's inaccuracies. Who needs the wrong definitions, especially when you then doubt all the definitions! Save your money.

A Good Introductory Textbook.......2006-07-25

I found Marine Biology by Castro to be a fairly good introductory textbook to marine biology. The reading is not too technically difficult that an average high schooler could comprehend most of what is said without becoming lost in science talk. There are plenty of pictures and diagrams to supplement the reading and make the pages appealing to the eye without boring you to death. However, as most academic textbooks go, reading alone is almost never enough to fully understand the material. I used this book as part of an introduction to marine biology course and found it to be very helpful to read before lectures. It can be a little dry at times and hardly goes into full detail of topics, but being an introductory book, it fully met the needs of my course. Overall, it's a good textbook that I'd recommend to someone taking an introductory course to marine biology.

Marine Biology w/ OLC bind-in card (Hardcover).......2005-12-16

This book when purchased NEW is shrinkwrapped and has the ISBN 0-07-293356-9. The shrinkwrapped package contains the Marine Biology textbook (ISBN 0-07-250934-1) which contains "The Premium McGraw-Hill Online Resources" access code (ISBN 0-0-250935-X). If you are buying a used book keep in mind that the online access code may only be used once and is not transferable, so if any of the previous owners have used the code it will not work for you. If your instructor uses Blackboard or WebCT, you may NEED a valid access code. A new access codes may be purchased from the McGraw-Hill "Premium" Site for $12 if you get stuck with a used book without a valid OLC code.

The book is great, I highly recommend it to anybody interested in the subject. For instructors though, I feel that this book based on the length and the number of chapters is probably better suited for classes on the Semester system (16 weeks) rather than those on the Term system (11 weeks.)

Excellent for newcomers and veterans alike.......2005-10-20

Anytime you look for a sourcebook on a specialized topic such as Marine Biology, you want to make sure it covers all the groundwork. By that, I mean the full foundation of the field needs to be established. What Castro and Huber might lack in specifics, they make up for by encompassing the true nature of Marine Biology and what it entails.

For anyone new to Marine Biology, this is the book to go with. It is well structured and covers everything in an instructive, yet simple to understand manner. There are a plethora of illustrations, diagrams, and tables to help aid the reader, and the text is well placed. The information touches most everything, including the very nature of Marine Biology, the habitats involved, the diversity presented, and even man's impact on the stature of the subject. I have no complaints on the presentation, and any inexperienced learner should find themselves involved in a very fascinating subject.

For those already experienced in Marine Biology, there is still much included that will catch your eye. Although the text is obviously leant for beginning, I found myself quite interested in much of the text and enjoyed analyzing and recalling sections of the field that I hadn't dealt with or devoted time to for months or even years.

There are some weaknesses, but most are minor or insignificant. Because Marine Biology is such a diverse field, it is near impossible to include EVERYTHING the subject entails. This text leaves some intriguing (albeit small) parts out, but overall I did not feel cheated about what I might have missed. There was also little focus on evolutionary associations, but then again, this is designed for a beginner and I expected little in this regard.

Overall, one way or the other, I feel that Castro and Huber have really developed a text that is very nearly a "can't miss" in Marine Biology. I recommend it to anyone, from the newest pupil to the most experienced professor. The bottom line is that you WILL learn.

just what we needed, fast shipping.......2005-09-23

The right textbook at a great price. It came quickly and was just as advertised. Thanks so much.

Average customer rating:

Nice Introductory Text
I've changed my mind
Riddled with mistakes
The Oceans
Oceans teaching ocean formation, tectonics and u/w volcanic

The Oceans
Ellen J. Prager , and Sylvia A. Earle
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Environmental Science | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Outdoors & Nature Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Science Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0071381775

Book Description

"[An] absorbing survey of oceanography . . . [this] elegant study is an excellent resource."Publishers Weekly

A fascinating examination of the earth's oceans

This exhaustive overview of oceanography captures the excitement of discovery in the making. The Oceans opens up the world of ocean science to the general reader and raises significant questions about the future of the ancient, nurturing ocean itself.

The oceans cover more than 70 percent of the globe, yet less than 5 percent of that expanse has been explored. But, as Drs. Prager and Earle show in this vivid survey of ocean research, our knowledge is suddenly accelerating: various dives, soundings, computer analyses, and other probes are uncovering amazing facts about the 142 million square miles beneath the seas.

Customer Reviews:

Nice Introductory Text.......2005-11-09

This text gives a good overview of the various scientific disciplines that collectively make up oceanography and technical discussions are kept at a level that won't overwhelm science-phobes but will keep the interest of those more familiar with chemistry, geology, physics, and biology.

On the down side, the text is somewhat dry and the author seems a little reluctant to inject much of her personality into the book. Those that don't care for the more cutesy pop-sci writers like Gould might find this a relief, but the prose seems more appropriate for a text book than for a popular overview. That said, the book is still highly readable and enjoyable, and is recommended.

I've changed my mind.......2003-02-15

I have already written a review. I think I may have been sort of mean. Now that I have read the entire book I feel like I should write a new review. I did enjoy the book. The mistakes I refered to in my previous review did not continue throughout the book. I read it to my son at night and he enjoyed it. Overall it was a pretty decent read. So, I've changed my mind.

Riddled with mistakes.......2003-02-10

Although this is an enjoyable read the book is absolutely riddled with unacceptable mistakes. Carbon dioxide once dissolved in the sea forms the carbonate ion which combines with calcium (not carbonate) to form calcium carbonate (p.12). P.67- the cape of good hope is at the tip of AFrica not South AMerica. And lastly (I have only read to page 80!) the positive charge of the water molecule is on the hydrogen not oxygen (negative on oxygen), and the hydrogens in water don't bind to one another-like charges repel each other , not attract. The hydrogens (+) bind to the oxygens (-) to adjacent molecules!!!!!!!!!! Ugh!!!!!!!!

The Oceans.......2002-12-10

I bought about 5 books at the same time and this is the 3rd book that I have read. It is full of lots of information but I am finding it a little slow to read. Kind of text book reading. None the less full of useful information regarding the Ocean from the beginning of time! I think it is a good building block for someone like myself trying to delve into the Science of the Ocean.

Oceans teaching ocean formation, tectonics and u/w volcanic.......2002-02-06

I enjoyed this book because Dr. Prager makes it so easily understood by the lay naturalist or reader for that matter. I have been lucky to have the best to study with including JMC, Scott Frier, Tom Ordway, and Chris Newbert. I give lectures to intermediate students adn this book gave me a better understanding of the oceans bottom and topography. It's an interesting book and will draw the reader into the ocean and keep them there, in fascination of the evidence. I enjoyed it and hope that you do too.

Sound Images of the Ocean: in Research and Monitoring

Average customer rating:

Sound Images of the Ocean: in Research and Monitoring
Peter Wille
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Geophysics | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Science Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All Deals | Blowout Books | Stores | Books

Science | Blowout Books | Stores | Books

All Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Professional & Technical | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Science | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Science | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Sonar for Practising Engineers

Accessories:

ASIN: 3540241221

Book Description

Sound Images of the Ocean is the first book of its kind which offers a comprehensive overview of acoustic imaging applications in the various fields of marine research, utilization, surveillance, and protection. The book employs 400 sound images of the sea floor and of processes in the sea volume, contributed by more than 120 marine experts from 22 nations. Written to be accessible to professionals in diverse related fields, the concise accompanying explanations of the complex relationships revealed by the images strive to condense the results to an essential "message." The book develops an interdisciplinary understanding of underwater acoustics and its diagnostic capabilities in order to visualize in detail the two thirds of the surface of the globe otherwise hidden from view. The high resolution but ship dependent acoustic imagery is compared with its satellite dependent counterpart, the large scale sea floor imagery by scanning the gravity deformed sea surface.

The CD included with the book enables users to rotate zoom into relief globe, as well as, into selected large sound images. It also contains animations and underwater flights and sound tracks.

Average customer rating:

Earth Science Made Simple is Simple
Just What I Wanted

Earth Science Made Simple
Edward F. Phd Albin
Manufacturer: Broadway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Education | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Test Prep Central | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Reference Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0767917030
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Book Description

A user’s guide to the planet.

We see it every day, yet we understand so little about Earth. From minerals to meteorites, this book covers every aspect of the science of our world. It breaks this complex discipline into four major sections: geology, oceanography, meteorology, and planetary science, and it gives an overview of the processes of each. Complete with interactive experiments and a glossary, this book makes the study of our planet—and other planets— easier than ever.

Topics covered include

*rocks
*plate tectonics
*geologic processes and time
*the sea floor and shoreline
*currents
*waves and tides
*atmospheric conditions and layering
*clouds, winds, and storms
*exploration of the planets
*natural satellites
*asteroids and comets.

Look for these Made Simple titles

Accounting Made Simple
Arithmetic Made Simple
Astronomy Made Simple
Biology Made Simple
Bookkeeping Made Simple
Business Letters Made Simple
Chemistry Made Simple
English Made Simple
French Made Simple
German Made Simple
Ingles Hecho Facil
Investing Made Simple
Italian Made Simple
Latin Made Simple
Learning English Made Simple
Mathematics Made Simple
The Perfect Business Plan Made Simple
Philosophy Made Simple
Physics Made Simple
Psychology Made Simple
Sign Language Made Simple
Spelling Made Simple
Statistics Made Simple
Your Small Business Made Simple

www.broadwaybooks.com

Customer Reviews:

Earth Science Made Simple is Simple.......2007-09-09

Great overview of the general topics in earth science. The only thing that I wish the book included would be question sets to review the material. I would use this book more as a resource for myself than my students.

Just What I Wanted.......2007-03-09

I was looking for a basic science book to introduce Earth Science to my kids. Too many of the books I looked at were "dumbed down". I just wanted basic coverage of science without politically correct commentary. This books gives nice coverage to the topics without obvious slanting towards anyone's agenda. I like it. (Yes, biomes are threatened, but I'd like to teach my kids about them before I talk about why they are threatened.) All in all, a good basic book.

Upheaval from the Abyss: Ocean Floor Mapping and the Earth Science Revolution

Average customer rating:

Answers From The Abyss

Upheaval from the Abyss: Ocean Floor Mapping and the Earth Science Revolution
David M. Lawrence
Manufacturer: Rutgers University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | History & Philosophy | Science | Subjects | Books

History of Science | History & Philosophy | Science | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

Answers From The Abyss.......2002-04-03

When I teach plate tectonics to my high school students, I ask them to consider the difficulty of building a comprehensive theory of the surface of the Earth when you don't know what three quarters of that surface looks like. I also mention how amazing it is that Alfred Wegener got as far as he did with continental drift without the detailed knowledge of the sea-floor that led to the modern theory of plate tectonics. David Lawrence has done a supremely good job at telling the adventurous and exciting history of plate tectonics in his book Upheaval From The Abyss. This book has got it all: ships, submarines, sonar, scientific [and emotional] arguments, sea-floor spreading, subduction, explosives and so much more. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to go deeper into the history of plate tectonics than does the standard cardboard cutout version found in most textbooks, and especially for those interested laypeople not ready to dive into Naomi Oreskes' excellent, but highly detailed The Rejection Of Continental Drift. I really enjoyed Upheaval From The Abyss and feel that others will, too.

Back-Arc Spreading Systems: Geological, Biological, Chemical, and Physical Interactions (Geophysical Monograph)

Average customer rating:

Back-Arc Spreading Systems: Geological, Biological, Chemical, and Physical Interactions (Geophysical Monograph)

Manufacturer: Amer Geophysical Union
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0875904319

Average customer rating:

Organism Sediment Interactions

Manufacturer: Univ of South Carolina Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

A GREAT BOOK!

The Deep-Sea Floor (Charlesbridge)
Sneed B. Collard
Manufacturer: Charlesbridge Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1570914028

Customer Reviews:

A GREAT BOOK!.......2003-07-16

Whether or not you're an amateur on the subject of deep sea biology, but this children's book is suprisingly helpful. Has very simple explanations & the illustrations are beautifully accurate. Any child (or adult!!!) who wants to learn about the deep sea, this really is the book to start with.

World Atlas of the Oceans: More than 300 Maps and Charts of the Ocean Floor

Average customer rating:

I want just the facts, 'mam
Atlas Schmatlas
Atlas Schmatlas
For Random Browsing Only

World Atlas of the Oceans: More than 300 Maps and Charts of the Ocean Floor

Manufacturer: Firefly Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Atlases | Atlases & Maps | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Science | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1552095851

Book Description

Just as humans scale the highest mountains, they also explore the deepest depths of the world's oceans. In this lavish atlas, a variety of maps depict the fascinating geographical landmarks of the ocean floor: volcanoes that rise suddenly from the deep ocean; seamounts and ridges that contain rich mineral deposits; shipwrecks (the Titanic is only one example among many); and marine life in the hidden depths of the ocean that until now has been invisible to humans.

Deep-sea exploration is one of the great achievements of the twentieth century. Expeditions to the bottom of the sea, for example Picard's groundbreaking explorations in a submersible, made sensational news. Still, these excursions to the deepest places on earth were isolated events. It wasn't until after the Second World War that a comprehensive picture of the ocean floor began to emerge. World Atlas of the Oceans brings these images together in a new and truly unique look at the oceans. The General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (or GEBCO), contained in this atlas, has never been published. And, relief maps and satellite images of the oceans provide detailed pictures of the hidden recesses of the world's oceans.

World Atlas of the Oceans is the only cartographic work of its kind to document the ocean floor with its mountains, volcanoes, fracture zones, and outline of tectonic plates in such amazing detail.

Customer Reviews:

I want just the facts, 'mam.......2005-08-28

Why is it that so many scientists aspire to cover 'EVERYTHING?' Why do so many books about the ocean, like this one, also include social messages about 'saving' the oceans and thereby saving the planet?

Why can't the authors have the discipline to write about only a few related topics, and cover them well? How about presenting just the facts? And comprehensive maps? And scales? And references that tell me from where and when they got the info?

OK so maybe asking for equal coverage, geological information, actual data instead of hand waving might be too much. But how about just balanced information?

This book is eye candy. It doesn't cover any of its many topics well. Furthermore, it's got a European bias. You can barely make out the features of the ocean floor surrounding Indonesia, an area with important oceanographic features, we have learned at great cost last Christmas.

Atlas Schmatlas.......2002-08-09

First let me say that this book has a large number of very pretty 'maps.' If all you're looking for is pretty pictures, this book is for you.

That said, I was very dissapointed to find no ancillary information with these maps - projection info, scale, date, data source. All the elements that make a map truly meaninful. Without this information, all these beautiful maps are mearly pictures.

I also think it's telling that one of the captions refers to a picture of a squid as a 'giant octopus.' Anyone who has spent more than ten minutes studying the ocean knows the difference between these two animals. This could just be poor editing.

Overall, this book was a dissapointment.

Atlas Schmatlas.......2002-08-09

First let me say that this book has a large number of very pretty 'maps.' If all you're looking for is pretty pictures, this book is for you.

That said, I was very disappointed to find no ancillary information with these maps - projection info, scale, date, data source, and vertical exaggeration. All the elements that make a map truly meaninful. Without this information, all these beautiful maps are mearly pictures.

Overall, this book was a disappointment.

For Random Browsing Only.......2002-06-19

I have been reading about underwater exploration. A "World Atlas of the Oceans" sounded like the perfect study companion.
I was hoping for a really good, well indexed, collection of maps that covered the entire ocean floor. I was not able to determine how much of the ocean is covered by the included maps.)
The lack of an index to the maps makes it difficult to look up and, go to a map of any particular place. The table of contents lists each map by the title of the short essay that accompanies each map. So, if you have not read and recalled the essay you can't know what map you will find. In fact the entire book is a long series of articles and essays about the oceans. Lots of pretty pictures, and titillating, short introductions to interesting subjects. It IS a beautiful book, and a great intro to our underwater world, that is why I gave this book more than one star.
A map of the 200 beautiful maps would have made this book actually useful.

Deep-Sea Biology: A Natural History of Organisms at the Deep-Sea Floor

Average customer rating:

An excellent overview of deep sea biology

Deep-Sea Biology: A Natural History of Organisms at the Deep-Sea Floor
John D. Gage , and Paul A. Tyler
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Environmental Science | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Science | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0521336651

Book Description

This timely volume provides a comprehensive account of the natural history of the organisms associated with the deep-sea floor and examines their relationship with this inhospitable environment--perhaps the most remote and least accessible location on the planet. The authors begin by describing the physical and chemical nature of the deep-sea floor and the methods used to collect and study its fauna. Then they discuss the ecology of the deep sea by exploring spatial patterns, diversity, biomass, vertical zonation, and large-scale distribution of organisms. Subsequent chapters review current knowledge of feeding, respiration, reproduction, and growth processes in these communities. The unique fauna of hypothermal vents and seeps are considered separately. Finally, there is a pertinent discussion of human exploitation of deep-sea resources and potential use of this environment for waste disposal.

Customer Reviews:

An excellent overview of deep sea biology.......1997-10-03

An excellent overview of deep sea biology for the biologist (not a good book for people without a scientific background). Some of the material is a little dated, but the information for the most part is very good.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books