Amazon.com
Take a pristine coral reef off the mangrove-forested coast of Belize, one that draws a handsome roster of fish and other sea creatures--and, therefore, a complement of scuba divers, sports fishermen, photographers, and other consumers of nature. Add an airstrip to serve these cash customers, then a hotel, then a seawall, then a golf course, then a desalination plant. In no time, thanks to the changes you've wrought on the coastal ecology, you'll have a dead reef in a dead patch of sea.

Such wanton destruction is the norm for today, writes science journalist Colin Woodard, who debarks from his travels on the world's seas with depressing and unremittingly bad news. One of the victims is the Black Sea of Eurasia, once a thriving extension of the Atlantic, now all but destroyed by "overfishing, oil spills, industrial discharges, nutrient pollution, wetlands destruction," and other ills. The ravaged Black Sea is mirrored in other places to which Woodard travels: the South Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico, the Antarctic. In such places significant ecological transformations are occurring, all in a very short period of time, all perhaps irreversible, all certainly dangerous to the health of the biosphere. "The oceans," Woodard urges his readers to consider, "are finite and destructible. Wastes dumped and drained into the ocean do not disappear; they are neither economic nor ecological externalities. Likewise, marine fish and animals are not commodities like iron, wheat, or broilers; they are wildlife." Adding to works such as Carl Safina's Song for the Blue Ocean, Woodard makes a clear and urgent call for the reversal of all this destruction and for the protection of the world's waters. --Gregory McNameeBook Description
"[Woodard] successfully brings to life the fascinating mysteries of marine science [and] outlines strategies that, he contends, must be taken to save our seas."-Publishers Weekly The Black Sea is already dead. Because of sea-level rise, an entire nation in the South Pacific, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, is being washed away. Throughout the Caribbean Sea, vast stretches of coral reef-called the "rainforests of the ocean" because of their diversity of life-are dying at increasingly rapid rates. The reefs along the entire north coast of Jamaica are dead. Ocean's End is not about the damage our oceans could suffer (and inflict) in ten or a hundred years, if we're not careful. It's an eyewitness account, in compelling and vivid detail, of the massive worldwide destruction that's already happened. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Powerful and Well Written
Wow, on the heals of reading Our Stolen Future, this was a bit of a shock...you know I had no idea the Black Sea was in such bad shape...I guess I really am out of touch with the world these days.Living in my own particular inner bubble, as it were, I seem to have missed out on some doings I used to pay a great deal of attention to.

I've long felt that we're slowly destroying our oceans and seas; I didn't realize we had actually accomplished it somewhere already.I strongly believe that nature is resilient and that it rights itself by restoring balance after we wreak havoc...but we also need to be taking some action and this book really brought that home for me.Ocean's End follows Woodward from the Black Sea forward on a global journey that touches on Newfoundland, the Mississippi Delta, Belize and the Great Barrier Reef, the Federated States of Micronesia, and finally to Antarctica.

In a compelling journey the documents the once pristine conditions, teeming with in all of these areas with their intensely interesting and varied ecosystems and the native peoples who lived (and still are trying to live) there, to the decline/destruction of these ecosystems and the empty bag they fisherman and villages in these places are left holding.He also takes care to point out that the decline of each ecosystem affects others and the world wide "chain" of them are all interconnected.Additionally, he points out that it's not a localized problem, many of the causes of an ecosystems decline happen far from the location where the ultimate damage is done (the Mississippi Delta for example).

Woodard really weaves it all together into a nice package that lays out the depth of the problem and he does give tentative solutions...if anything can successfully be done to "fix" this problem, it won't come easy or cheap and we definitely need to get away from the short-sighted profit driven solutions that have been developed in the past.I'd recommend this in a heart beat, if you don't think this is a serious problem, you should definitely read this book!

A Really Good Book
A really good "eye-opener".This is the third copy I've bought. How blissfully unaware most of us are about what is going on around us. This book might encourage the latent environmental leanings in all of us.

Coastal Policy Has Killed the Oceans!
Ocean's End is one of the most compelling examples of how bad Coastal Zone policy has destroyed vast areas of ocean and shore. It is not too strong a point that human beings in recent history have behaved themselves very, very badly as they looted the seas and dumped their waste and industrial toxins down river or directly into the sea. I am using this book in my International Integrated Coastal Zone Management class as the first assigned textbook. (...)

Why? Because I want my graduate students to first see how wonderful the world's oceans and coastal zones are and secondly, how incredibly stupid and short sighted we can be as we mismanage our responsibilities as stewards of these ecosystems. Colin Woodward has done a wonderful job of narrating a gripping, exciting, and enfuriating story from the killing of the Black Sea to the plundering of the Newfoundland Grand Banks and all of the other case studies in between.

This is a book worth reading and also one that is compellingly interesting and enjoyable. Take it on your next trip or read it and then take my web-based graduate class in International Coastal Management. You'll be ahead of yourself!

One of the most devastating books I've read
Each chapter in this book tells a story illustrating a different crisis, and each gives something new to be outraged over.The stories are well-written, and Ocean's End gives the best summary of global warming that I have read.It is easy to understand (making the reader feel almost intelligent).I would recommend this to everyone, and wish there was a way to get this into high school curricula.

My only complaint is the summary.Woodard draws the reader's passions out, but doesn't suggest explicit ways to get involved in the issues.I ended up writing letters to my congressional representatives.

Read this book, and start your own letter campaign.

A great book
This is a great book.Thoughtful, balanced, readable.Buy two copies and give one to a friend. ... Read more

Book Description
AWARDS:
2006 Outstanding Academic Title, by CHOICE

The 2005 Award for Excellence in Professional and Scholarly Publishing by the Association of American Publishers (AAP)

Best Reference 2005, by the Library Journal

Rivers of North America is an important reference for scientists, ecologists, and students studying rivers and their ecosystems. It brings together information from several regional specialists on the major river basins of North America, presented in a large-format, full-color book. The introduction covers general aspects of geology, hydrology, ecology and human impacts on rivers. This is followed by 22 chapters on the major river basins. Each chapter begins with a full-page color photograph and includes several additional photographs within the text. These chapters feature three to five rivers of the basin/region, and cover several other rivers with one-page summaries. Rivers selected for coverage include the largest, the most natural, and the most affected by human impact.

This one-of-a-kind resource is professionally illustrated with maps and color photographs of the key river basins. Readers can compare one river system to another in terms of its physiography, hydrology, ecology, biodiversity, and human impacts.

* Extensive treatment provides a single source of information for North America's major rivers
* Regional specialists provide authoritative information on more than 200 rivers
* Full-color photographs and topographical maps demonstrate the beauty, major features, and uniqueness of each river system
* One-page summaries help readers quickly find key statistics and make comparisons among rivers ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

An unequalled source book for rivers
There is no book comparable to this, and it would be nearly impossible to put together much of this information from the Internet. The author has visited these rivers and knows what he is talking about. Very factually based book.

If you love maps,rivers, river life, river facts and photos...............
.....you'll love this book. It is large in a school book fashion.I bought it for my husband who reads maps like books and loves topography/geography/geology.He really liked this tome.It centers on criteria/info on a large number of rivers and outlines the major basins with detailed descriptions of each river, life within and alteration to the flow and course.I was amazed at how many dams have been built- only 2-3 major rivers on this continent flow unimpeded.A few maps could have been clearer ( more contrasting color) but most all are great.....and many beautiful photos .My husband gave it a 5 star rating over all. ... Read more

Book Description
Open your eyes to a world of discovery. Offering a new level of information through powerful visuals, the Eye Wonder reference series was specially developed for children ready for their first books about the natural world. Full-color photography is matched with clearly written text to build a foundation for advanced exploration and help show children a stunning new view of the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Rivers and Streams (Exploring Ecosystems)
Very well laid out book that is broken down into "investigations", "projects" and "doing more" sections.Includes a glossary, an index and resources for furtherinformation.This book will be widely used in our middle schoolenvironment.Contains excellent black and white illustrations. Recommended reading for the 7th through the 9th grade levels. ... Read more

Book Description
Sustainable management of ecosystems is a key issue in ecology and environmental science and aquatic ecosystems are high on international priorities for conservation. Ecology of Aquatic Management provides a comprehensive introduction to the exploitation and management of marine and freshwater systems from an ecological perspective.

This timely book explores current exploitation practices, discusses the underlying scientific principles, and provides case studies and references to enable students to study individual topics in more depth.

Part One covers water itself as a resource, and the ecological impacts of human exploitation of water. Part Two considers aquatic organisms as exploitable components of the environment and discusses sustainability issues in harvesting and farming (or culturing) them. Part Three looks at exploitation of the aquatic environment for waste disposal, mineral extraction and recreation. Finally, Part Four provides a synthesis of the various impacts and considers effective management strategies.

Features: Provides an overview of human interactions with aquatic ecosystems. Has an ecological perspective. Considers aquatic pollution in the context of waste disposal. Includes selected case studies and references. Discusses sustainable management and biodiversity issues based on an ecosystem approach. This book has been written primarily to meet the needs of undergraduate and masters students taking courses in aquatic biology, aquatic ecology, resource management, environmental science, environmental management, water resource management and introductory courses in fisheries and aquaculture.

Dr Chris Frid is Senior Lecturer in Marine Ecology at the Dove Marine Laboratory, University of Newcastle upon Tyne. Dr Mike Dobson is Senior Lecturer in Aquatic Ecology and Biogeography, in the Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University. ... Read more

Book Description
The popular Rookie Books expand their horizons - to all corners of the globe! With this series all about geography, emergent readers will take off on adventures to cities, nations, waterways, and habitats around the world…and right in their own backyards. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Life Near a River
Great book for an emergent reader.Kids need to learn about habitats and this is a great book to share. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

WATCHING THE RIVER FLOW
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Is there a more beautiful bird than a Kingfisher? Is there a more tranquil scene than a river flowing quietly by? "The River" captures the moods and describes the creatures that live along a stream.

The river is in full flood; we turn the transparent overlay and now the stream has shrunk to a trickle. A little boy is playing with his toy water wheel.

We learn about the trees that grow along the riverbank and the roles they play. Poplars provide shelter and alders bind the soil together.

The highlight of the book is the focus on birdlife. Mother moorhen is on her nest. Turn the transparent page and the eggs are hatching with the chicks heading towards the water.

Now the kingfisher is diving for a fish into the river. Turn the page and he's caught a minnow. The joke is on the fisherman sitting on the bank with his rod and line. All he gets is his float and hooks tangled in an overhead branch.

Our amphibious friends get into the act. The book shows an accurate portrayal of two frogs mating. We also see the life cycle of a dragonfly, going from an egg to a nymph to an adult.

In winter the stream is partly frozen. Now the fish stay in the deep water.

There is a strong environmental message in this book, powerfully told through the use of the clear overlays.

On the penultimate page we see a family relaxing by the riverbank. Turn the page and it is all despoiled by rubbish and pollution. There is a clear message ...... look after the river!

What a shame this book is out of stock. Lobby the publishers and suppliers and make this fabulous book available once again. ... Read more

Book Description
As the seasons change, a river in Alaska reveals its remarkable biodiversity. A great web of life is presented--the river and its shores sustain an astonishing variety of plants and animals. The river is home: salmon fry and rainbow trout live in it, plankton drifts in its current. The river is food: bears and bald eagles catch salmon, big fish chase little fish, tree roots absorb the river water. This evocative nonfiction picture book follows a year in the life of this Alaskan river. The lyrical text and lush paintings introduce young readers to the sights and sounds of the river and its inhabitants and are rich in details certain to fascinate ecologists of all ages. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Beautiful Alaska
This is an excellent lower and upper elementary informational picture book. Rich language is combined with double-page realistic oil paintings asthe story of a year in the life of an Alaskan river is told. The river isshown to be a constantly changing home and source of food to manyecologically connected living things. ... Read more

Book Description
Aquatic systems exhibit incredible diversity - from mountain streams to deep oceans, from lakes and ponds to the estuaries that link river and sea. Despite their distinct characters, however, these systems share common properties and, at the level of ecology, are not all that different after all. But how can this be?Ecology of Aquatic Systems brings together coverage of freshwater and marine systems to illustrate the principles and properties that unify aquatic systems. Using examples drawn from a wide geographical range, the book presents a broad survey of the field that acts as the ideal foundation for further study.Opening with a review of the different types of aquatic system and their interconnected nature, and the diversity of life within aquatic systems, the book goes on to explore the key types of aquatic habitat, emphasising the ecological themes that pervade each system.Written with students in the centre of the frame, Ecology of Aquatic Systems retains the succinct, lucid style for which the first edition was praised, and includes cross-references throughout, a substantial glossary, and extensive index, to help readers engage with, and fully understand, the material presented.With the global importance of aquatic systems becoming more apparent - and the need for effective management of these systems becoming increasingly clear - there has never been a more important time for students to fully grasp the fundamentals of aquatic systems. Ecology of Aquatic Systems is the ideal course companion to achieve this goal.Online Resource Centre: The Online Resource Centre features:For registered adopters of the text: - Figures from the book in electronic format, ready to download; - A testbank of multiple-choice questions, for use in formative or summative assessmentFor students: - Hyperlinks to literature articles cited in the text ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (8)

river rats
I liked this book so much, I ordered another copythrough Amazon to be sent to a dear friend, I met at the Redgreen lodge. I am waiting for the chance to see the documentary on most of our PBS stations again. Or Discovery, whatever they show it on. In either case, a good read for just about anytime. thanks, paul

Skilled Storyteller
Pack your bags and go along with Kenny as he ventures along the banks of the Mississippi River.You'll think you're right there with him.

Tales of a River Rat:
I met Kenny and his stories are just as he is.He has a skill in telling stories that makes you wish you were there with him.I would recommend the book to all the people that enjoy the Mississippi river area.

An amazing storyteller!
Kenny Salwey's a talented storyteller with many Mississippi tales to tell! I recommend this author to all outdoor enthusiasts, & anyone that loves a good story. It's a MUST for anyone living in a little river town!

A must read!
Wonderful book by Salwey...took me back to a simpler, down to earth time. Kenny weaves a profound story of man and nature. ... Read more

Book Description
Tide pools come in all shapes and sizes, and each is different. This book explores life in nature's aquariums --home to an assortment of amazing animals and peculiar plants. ... Read more

Amazon.com
The image of salmon battling upstream through whitewater cataracts to spawn in their birthplace is integral to any happy vision of the Pacific Northwest. Sadly, because they face more insidious obstacles than swift currents, few people today actually witness this remarkable spectacle.Armed with exhaustive research and an ability to synthesize his findings into a concise, readable indictment of the status quo, Jim Lichatowich, a fisheries scientist for 30 years, traces the sudden decline of Northwest salmon populations following the onset of Euro-American settlement. He points a finger at the usual suspects: logging, mining, damming, grazing, irrigation, commercial fishing, and development. Moreover, he cites the political establishment for a failure of nerve. Since the shift from a Native American "gift" economy based on sustainability to a profit economy based on self-interest and short-term financial gain, the historically resilient salmon have met one adversary after another, with little or no help from the legal apparatus charged with their protection. In fact, federal and state governments have responded to the deepening crisis mainly by building fish hatcheries up and down the West Coast. Contrary to the beliefs of entrenched bureaucrats and sport fishermen, says Lichatowich, hatcheries have merely diluted the gene pools of wild stocks while allowing resource extractors to continue their multifarious operations and politicians to shirk their responsibilities. In 1960, for instance, after decades of declining runs, the Washington Department of Fisheries reported, incredibly (and characteristically), that new advanced management techniques would soon result in "salmon without a river"--more welcome news to those who would continue to exploit these iconic fish and their habitat. At the dawn of the 21st century hundreds of hatcheries still operate, yet Northwest salmon populations have decreased 95 percent.

Lichatowich is a learned and persuasive advocate for wild salmon. He's also eloquent, as in this description of his first visit to the Columbia River's Grand Coulee dam:

As I sat there wondering and swatting mosquitoes, the face of the dam lit up. It was the start of the nightly laser show.... Appropriately, the lasers sent a series of large green dollar signs floating through the darkness. Then a series of laser salmon swam across the face of the dam.Here were the ideal salmon, I thought, the fish that fit perfectly into our worldview. We have complete control over them--press a button and they appear; press another and they change from green to red; press another and they swim over the dam. Salmon and dams are compatible--as long as you are not particular about the kind of salmon.

Throughout, Lichatowich argues that the dominant worldview of our society -- a worldview that denies connections between humans and the natural world -- has created the conflict and controversy that characterize the recent history of salmon; unless that worldview is challenged and changed, there is little hope for recovery. Salmon Without Rivers exposes the myths that have guided recent human-salmon interactions. It clearly explains the difficult choices facing the citizens of the region, and provides unique insight into one of the most tragic chapters in our nation's environmental history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Peter Morrison
This is a must read book for anyone interested in salmon, rivers and the ecology and history of the Pacific Northwest.Excellent information and a good read.

Great read
This is an excellent book that documents the history of salmon, how native Americans viewed them and how modern Americans view them.It focuses on why the pacific northwest is facing a salmon crisis, and our failed attempts to replace what we have lost.Great read for anyone who is concerned about environmental issues.

Pacific Northwest Salmon History Book
Salmon Without Rivers is a great book of historical facts. It includes many issues like; original salmon locations/populations, "Economy over Environment" issues, and the ineffectiveness of large decision making commissions/agencies. However, with all his good background information the book does not propose any solutions nor investigates today's coastal human communities as they relate to the salmon and/or habitat.

A captivating, human, informed book
As a freelance author writing a piece about salmon for a California-based magazine, this book was indispensible and eye-opening. It is unfailingly sensitive and intelligent about salmon, discussing the fish as fellow creatures in the "natural economy" in which we all live, rather than as mere commodities in the "industrial economy" that has transformed the West in the last 150 years. It is fascinating about the geology that shaped the salmon's environment, the evolutionary history of the fish, the relationship between Native Americans and salmon in the Northwest, and it provides a detailed history of the many factors that have led to the salmon's decline, including habitat destruction, misbegotten hatchery programs, overfishing, dams, mining, grazing, irrigation. If you like to read books about ecology, the creatures of the earth, fish, or the Northwest--you can't go wrong. This is a wonderful book.

Save the salmon and us
A thoroughly researched and impassioned presentation including the history of salmon, their decline, why billions of tax dollars in restoration efforts have had paltry returns, and insights into the where we should go from here. A complex issue is examined from many perspectives in an easy to read and compelling book. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in salmon. ... Read more

Book Description
Freshwater fish and other aquatic life are shown and discussed inthis book, as are the larger animals that feed on them, including beavers,bears, and even human beings. Barron's ticktock books present information on awide range of subjects for young adult readers in illustrated, attractivemagazine-style layouts. (Ages 10 and older) ... Read more