suitable for non-majors, this text covers the basics of marine biology using examples from numerous regions and ecosystems. It includes the fundamental principles of biology, the physical sciences, and the scientific method. It integrates science coverage with an overview of marine biology.

1 The Science of Marine Biology 2 The Sea Floor 3 Chemical and Physical Features of Seawater and the World Ocean 4 Fundamentals of Biology The Organisms of the Sea 5 The Microbial World 6 Multicellular Primary Producers: Seaweeds and Plants 7 Marine Animals without a Backbone 8 Marine Fishes 9 Marine Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals Structure and Function of Marine Ecosystems 10 An Introduction to Marine Ecology 11 Between the Tides 12 Estuaries: Where Rivers Meet the Sea 13 Life on the Continental Shelf 14 Coral Reefs 15 Life Near the Surface 16 The Ocean Depths Humans and the Sea 17 Resources from the Sea 18 The Impact of Humans on the Marine Environment 19 The Oceans and Human Affairs Appendix A Units of Measurement Appendix B Selected Field Guides and Other Useful References for the Identification of Marine Organisms