Field Guide to Coastal Wildflowers of Britain, Ireland and Northwest Europe

Author: Paul Sterry
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691218153
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 352

Book Description
A richly illustrated guide to the wildflowers and other flora of coastal Britain, Ireland and Northwest Europe The rugged and beautiful coastal regions of Britain and Ireland are among the crowning glories of these islands. Few visitors can fail to marvel at the stunning sight of Cornwall’s clifftops resplendent with flowering Thrift, or be struck by the resilience of plants that thrive on the inhospitable shingle beaches of Dungeness on the coast of Kent. This field guide covers more than 600 species of wildflowers and other coastal flora found in Britain and Ireland, and coastal mainland Northwest Europe. Detailed species accounts describe wildflowers, grasses, sedges and rushes that occur on the coast or in abundance within sight of the sea. Stunningly illustrated throughout, this comprehensive, user-friendly guide also covers trees and shrubs, a range of other groups from mosses and seaweeds, and more broadly, the natural history of coastal habitats. Covers more than 600 species of flowering plantsFeatures over 1,500 spectacular colour photosDescribes other groups such as ferns, mosses, liverworts, lichens, fungi and seaweedsProvides up-to-date colour distribution maps for Britain and Ireland

Field Guide to Coastal Wildflowers of Britain, Ireland and Northwest Europe

Author: Paul Sterry
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691238456
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 352

Book Description
A richly illustrated guide to the wildflowers and other flora of coastal Britain, Ireland and Northwest Europe The rugged and beautiful coastal regions of Britain and Ireland are among the crowning glories of these islands. Few visitors can fail to marvel at the stunning sight of Cornwall’s clifftops resplendent with flowering Thrift, or be struck by the resilience of plants that thrive on the inhospitable shingle beaches of Dungeness on the coast of Kent. This field guide covers more than 600 species of wildflowers and other coastal flora found in Britain and Ireland, and coastal mainland Northwest Europe. Detailed species accounts describe wildflowers, grasses, sedges and rushes that occur on the coast or in abundance within sight of the sea. Stunningly illustrated throughout, this comprehensive, user-friendly guide also covers trees and shrubs, a range of other groups from mosses and seaweeds, and more broadly, the natural history of coastal habitats. Covers more than 600 species of flowering plants Features over 1,500 spectacular colour photos Describes other groups such as ferns, mosses, liverworts, lichens, fungi and seaweeds Provides up-to-date colour distribution maps for Britain and Ireland

The Diver's Guide to Marine Life of Britain and Ireland

Author: Chris Wood
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 1999581105
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 312

Book Description
"Completely revised and expanded this Second Edition covers almost 300 individual species and groups of species seen underwater, from tiny fragile sea spiders to the massive planktonƯfeeding Basking Shark"--Publisher's website

Sea Squirts and Sea Sponges of Britain and Ireland

Author: Sarah Bowen
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0995567387
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 200

Book Description
Sea squirts and sponges are found in most seafloor habitats around the coasts of Britain and Ireland. Despite being the dominant life forms in many areas, these two groups of under-recorded marine animals are often confused with one another, and most divers and snorkellers can recognise and name very few species. In fact, around 500 species of Ascidiacea (sea squirts) and Porifera (sponges) have been described so far in British and Irish seas, corresponding to over 4% of the world’s total. This book is recommended reading for anyone who wants to identify and discover more about these fascinating and diverse animals. Rather than relying on the characteristics of preserved specimens, this guide uses marine photography and detailed underwater observations to concentrate on in situ features, allowing you to record species without collecting them. Most sea squirts found in Britain and Ireland’s shallow waters are included, together with the most easily recognised sponges. Whether you are a student, a diver, a rockpooler or simply an enthusiast, this is an essential companion. ● Over 115 species described in detail with in situ photographs to help with underwater recognition ● Information on size, depth, habitat and distribution ● Key distinguishing features and areas of confusion in identification highlighted ● Details of body structure, life histories, digestive and reproductive processes ● Information about predators, interactions between species, non-native and problem invasive species

Sea Anemones and Corals of Britain and Ireland

Author: Chris Wood
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0957394632
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 161

Book Description
The cool temperate waters around Britain and Ireland contain a huge variety of marine life and the sea anemones and corals, the Anthozoa, are some of the brightest and most attractive of all the groups of animals that live in them. Anemones and corals can be found from rockpools to the deepest depths and in all habitats from rocky reefs to soft mud. This is the second edition of this popular guide to all 74 of the sea anemones and corals found in British and Irish inshore waters. It will be an essential companion for divers, rockpoolers and students who want to identify the sea anemones and corals they find and know more about them. Information on identification of 74 species, including their key features and other species with which they could be confused Illustrated with over 200 photographs taken in situ showing the animals as they look in real life Habitat, distribution, depth, size, rarity and conservation status for each species where known Information and photographs of other animals that prey on or live with sea anemones and corals Details of body structure, feeding and reproduction, illustrated with photographs and drawings Information about recent research on populations of sea anemones and corals carried out by Seasearch volunteer divers A summary of conservation issues for sea anemones and corals in Britain and Ireland

Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland

Author: Francis Bunker
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0995567336
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 312

Book Description
The cool temperate waters of the British and Irish seas contain an astonishing 6% of the world’s algal species, more than 600 different seaweeds, and yet most divers, snorkellers and rockpoolers can put names to only a handful of them. The first edition of Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland has proved invaluable to an enormous number of people, not just volunteer Seasearch divers and snorkellers, and this eagerly awaited second edition will no doubt prove to be equally as popular. The aim of this book is to introduce the reader to the wonderful marine environment around Britain and Ireland, and improve identification of the wealth of seaweeds so often overlooked. Features of the new edition include: ● Over 230 species described in detail with colour photographs, information on size, habitat and distribution maps ● Over 50 new species, many with information on how to identify to species level using microscopic features ● Key distinguishing features and areas of identity confusion highlighted ● Colour and form used to group species and aid identification using dichotomous keys ● Details of life histories and reproductive processes for the main seaweed groups ● Both scientific and English names used for species and groups ● A glossary of common and specialised terms

In the Company of Seahorses

Author: Steve Trewhella
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691247005
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 244

Book Description
Seahorses are instantly recognisable and have been a part of our culture for millennia, yet we still know very little about these enigmatic creatures. Steve Trewhella and Julie Hatcher have spent hundreds of hours in British waters observing native seahorses, witnessing at first hand how they behave in the wild, and how they interact with the other plants and animals in their underwater realm. With stunning photography, In the Company of Seahorses paints a rich picture of a mysterious world amongst swaying seagrass and colourful seaweeds. The accompanying text is packed with personal anecdotes describing the authors’ journey of discovery, illustrating for the first time the secretive lives of these elusive animals in British waters. By sharing one couple’s passion for an entrancing ocean icon, this book aims to inspire, inform and create a better understanding of the seahorse and its often vulnerable habitats around the British coastline.

Field Guide to Sharks, Rays & Chimaeras of Europe and the Mediterranean

Author: David A. Ebert
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691211825
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 385

Book Description
The definitive field guide to all the sharks, rays and chimaeras of the European Atlantic and Mediterranean The waters of the northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea are home to an amazing variety of sharks, rays and chimaeras. This comprehensive and easy-to-use field guide covers all 146 species found in the Mediterranean, the waters of the European Atlantic and Iceland, along all the Scandinavian coasts, in the Black Sea and as far south as the Canary Islands. Detailed species accounts describe key identification features, habitat, biology and status. Every species account comes with a colour distribution map, a depth guide, at-a-glance icons and colour illustrations. This must-have field guide also features illustrated key guides that enable you to accurately identify down to species, comparison plates of similar species, illustrations of eggcases where known and plates of teeth. The first field guide to cover all 146 species Features hundreds of colour illustrations, photos, maps and diagrams Describes key features, habitat, biology and status Includes depth guides, at-a-glance icons, key guides and teeth plates

The Gull Next Door

Author: Marianne Taylor
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691210861
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 192

Book Description
A uniquely personal meditation on Britain's gulls by one of today's leading wildlife writers From a distance, gulls are beautiful symbols of freedom over the oceanic wilderness. Up close, however, they can be loud, aggressive and even violent. Yet gulls fascinate birdwatchers, and seafarers regard them with respect and affection. The Gull Next Door explores the natural history of gulls and their complicated relationship with humans. Marianne Taylor grew up in an English seaside town where gulls are ever present. Today, she is a passionate advocate for these underappreciated birds. In this book, Taylor looks at the different gull species and sheds light on all aspects of the lives of gulls—how they find food, raise families, socialize and migrate across sea, coastland and countryside. She discusses the herring gull, Britain's best-known and most persecuted gull species, whose numbers are declining at an alarming rate. She looks at gulls in legend, fiction and popular culture, and explains what we can do to protect gull populations around the world. The Gull Next Door reveals deeper truths about these remarkable birds. They are thinkers and innovators, devoted partners and parents. They lead long lives and often indulge their powerful drive to explore and travel. But for all these natural gifts, many gull species are struggling to survive in the wild places they naturally inhabit, which is why they are now exploiting the opportunities of human habitats. This book shows how we might live more harmoniously with these majestic yet misunderstood birds.

The Marine World

Author: Frances Dipper
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0957394624
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 544

Book Description
The marine world is an immense, three-dimensional living space inhabited by marine life that varies from the mundane to the bizarre. Its salty influence extends up river estuaries, over seashores and inland with brine-laden spray. The Marine World covers all those organisms that live in, on and around the ocean bringing together in a single text everything from the miniscule to the immense. With chapters on marine bacteria, plants, fungi and protozoa, as well as all the major groups of marine invertebrates, plus fish, reptiles, mammals and birds, it provides an insight into the existence and way of life of almost everything living in the ocean. Each animal or plant is found in its own particular place and The Marine World encompasses principal ocean habitats and ecosystems including open water, seashores, deep sea, coral reefs and many more. Written with clear, accessible text and illustrated throughout with photographs and detailed drawings, The Marine World provides in depth information to provide answers for each group on 'what?' 'where?' and 'how?', via sections on identification, distribution, structure, biology, classification and conservation.