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About this book
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Rocky Shores explores the species, communities and landscape of the narrow strip of land along our coastline. Limited in extent it may be, but no other habitat in Britain is as extreme and dynamic. As the tide ebbs and flows, physical and chemical conditions can alter dramatically in a matter of minutes, yet an impressive number of life forms have adapted and even thrive in these challenging conditions. Rock pools dotted across the shore contain unique pockets of diversity, while the strandline at the high-tide mark supports a curious community of microbes and invertebrates that in turn attract birds and mammals.
John Archer-Thomson and Julian Cremona gently guide the reader through the patterns of marine biodiversity that might be encountered on sheltered and exposed shores: from the inhospitable 'splash zone' to the repeatedly submerged lower shore, and everything in between. In addition to the ecology, there is also much to be said about our cultural and historical links with the shore, and the authors also reflect on what the future may hold for this beautiful but vulnerable coastal ecosystem.
Filled with stunning photographs of rocky shores and their extraordinary inhabitants, Rocky Shores will appeal to anyone with a love of the shore – from the occasional 'rockpooler' through to enthusiastic naturalist.
Customer Reviews (2)
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Fantastic Images, Brilliant Narrative Great read.
By
Sue
12 Feb 2019
Written for Hardback
This book was a must for me. I am not a skilled coastal or marine biologist but like many have a yearning for the seashore. the book explains so much so clearly touching on the ecology of the UK's rocky shore with reference to the distribution, abundance, adaptation and threats to a huge number of organisms you will encounter along any rock-pooling expedition. I found it engaging from cover to cover with fabulous photographs, not just of the animals and plants of the seashore but also stunning scenery with landscape and habitat shots. I thought I knew a bit about seaweeds, sponges, snails and shrimps but now know so much more! Thank you for this great value sensible approach and enlightening me further on the true delight that is the UK rocky shore. It fits in so well with the emerging British Wildlife Collection and I am proud to own my signed copy.
5 of 5 found this helpful
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This is an excellent book on the shore
By
Leslie
20 Apr 2019
Written for Hardback
This guide not only took me back to my student days of staying at Dale Fort and Orielton FSC centres and my time on Skomer, but had me searching even further back to the days of rock pooling as a child (a guilty pleasure I still engage in). I have thoroughly enjoyed the engaging way the book is written, learning something new, identifying species and concepts I had not considered before and with it re-connecting me with past experiences and informing my own current teaching, and yet all remaining within that familiar habitat of the rocky seashore. An exceedingly well-written guide to the shore and a great addition to the series.
3 of 3 found this helpful
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By: John Archer-Thomson(Author), Julian Cremona(Author)
368 pages, 300 colour photos and colour illustrations
"[...] [A] beautifully written book. They state that their aim was to produce an accessible guide to rocky shores. Without a doubt they have done this. The book is a worthy addition to Bloomsbury’s British Wildlife Collection series."
– Frances Dipper, British Wildlife 30(4), April 2019
