The Deep Ocean: Life in the Abyss

(Hardback)

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Description

An epic excursion into one of the last great frontiers on Earth.

The deep ocean comprises more than 90 percent of our planets biosphere and is home to some of the worlds most dazzling creatures, which thrive amid extreme pressures, scarce food supplies, and frigid temperatures. Living things down here behave in remarkable and surprising ways, and cutting-edge technologies are shedding new light on these critically important ecosystems. This beautifully illustrated book leads you down into the canyons, trenches, and cold seeps of the watery abyss, presenting the deep ocean and its inhabitants as you have never seen them before.

• Features a wealth of breathtaking photos, illustrations, and graphics
• Gives a brief and accessible history of deep-sea exploration
• Explains the basics of oceanography
• Covers a marvellous diversity of undersea organisms
• Describes habitats ranging from continental slopes to hydrothermal vents and abyssal plains
• Discusses humanitys impacts on the deep ocean, from fisheries and whaling to global climate change and acidification
• Written by a team of world-class scientists

Reviews

"I am at a loss for words to tell you how much I have appreciated this book."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds
"The most fantastic book. . . . Its really accessible, explains in really clear, clear detail how the oceans work, how they change, what real impacts the ocean can have in our lives, and overall its a fascinating read."---Ken Whelan, Mooney Goes Wild, RT Radio 1

Author Bio

Michael Vecchione is a zoologist in the NOAA Systematics Lab at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. Louise Allcock is professor of zoology at the University of Galway. Imants Priede is professor emeritus of zoology at the University of Aberdeen. Hans van Haren is physical oceanographer at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ).