Shore Ecology of the Gulf of Mexico - Softcover

Britton, Joseph C.; Morton, Brian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0292776268 ISBN 13: 9780292776265

Publisher: University of Texas Press, 1989

Synopsis

To the casual visitor, the Gulf of Mexico shores offer mainly sun, sand, and sea. Even the standard field guides, focused on one group of animals or plants, barely hint at the wealth and diversity of habitats and species along Gulf shores. Shore Ecology of the Gulf of Mexico, using a “whole habitat” approach, breaks new ground in describing all the conspicuous vascular plants, algae, birds, mammals, mollusks, crustaceans, and other invertebrates for each marine habitat. The area covered begins west of the Mississippi delta in Louisiana and follows the shores west and south to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.

Transitions between habitats also receive detailed treatment. The authors discuss changes in flora and fauna that result from differences in climate, shore geology, and patterns of precipitation in the succeeding habitats along the Gulf rim. They include discussion of more than 1,000 species of plants and animals, both on shore and in the near-shore subtidal zone, to give a virtually complete picture of western Gulf coast ecosystems. Excellent line drawings and photographs of over 800 species complement the text.

For marine scientists, students, and knowledgeable beachcombers, this is a thorough source on Gulf coast marine life.

About this title

About the Author:

Joseph C. Britton (1942–2006) was Professor of Biology at Texas Christian University.

Review:

"The oceanography, marine biology, and ecology of western Gulf of Mexico shores, unlike those of many other major marine shore habitats, have never before been examined in a single treatment or synthesis . . . . this is a landmark publication in the marine biology of the Gulf of Mexico...." (Robert F. McMahon, Professor of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington)

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Texas Press
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 0292776268
• ISBN 13: 9780292776265
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 396