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Humans have been drawn to beaches since the dawn of time, both to gather resources, but also to collect peculiar objects that have become the stuff of myth and folklore – it is our inherent hunter-gatherer instinct. No matter if you are an experienced beachcomber, a casual visitor or an enthusiastic naturalist, this book will answer your questions and satisfy your curiosity about the treasures found cast up on the beach strandline, whether it is a beautiful seashell, a spent eggcase, a frond of seaweed or an exotic ocean voyager. Every find has its own story to tell and this book will answer the questions that arise with every beachcombing discovery – what is it and where did it come from? User-friendly photographs and descriptions are accompanied by information about the natural history of the animals and plants you encounter. Even man-made debris can offer a revealing introduction to the inner workings of the ocean and illustrate how items thrown away in Africa or America can wash up on British beaches.
The beach strandline is often overlooked as a wildlife habitat but is houses unique faunal and floral communities, many of which are not found anywhere else. It is understudied and under threat, facing a host of man-made problems. In The Essential Guide to Beachcombing and the Strandline you will find an in-depth account of the animals and plants that make up this rich and continuously shifting oasis of life in the otherwise harsh and hostile environment of the beach. The more we come to terms with the sensitive nature of the strandline, the more we can do to nurture and protect it.
But be careful – beachcombing can quickly turn into an addictive pleasure! Make sure you pack The Essential Guide to Beachcombing and the Strandline whenever you go to the beach – there is always something new to discover, whether on a nighttime strandline safari, making seaweed whistles or collecting invertebrates with pots and pooters. Immerse yourself in the beachcombing experience; the wind in your face, the smell of salt spray, the roar of the ocean; it's an assault on the senses, the perfect tonic – and this book is your essential guide.
