An accessible and engaging account of the natural history of rocky and
boulder-strewn shores around Britain's coastline.
In Rocky Shores, authors John Archer-Thomson and Julian Cremona
explore the species, communities, and landscape of the narrow strip
bounding Britain's coast. It may be limited in extent, 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. An impressive array of life forms has adapted well
and even manages to thrive in these challenging conditions.
This beautifully illustrated book guides the reader through the patterns
of marine biodiversity that we might encounter on sheltered and exposed
shores, from the inhospitable splash zone to the repeatedly submerged
lower shore, and everything in between. Rock pools dotted across the
shore contain unique pockets of diversity, while the strandline formed
by marine debris at the high-tide mark supports a unique community of
microbes and invertebrates that in turn attract birds and mammals.
Filled with stunning photographs of rocky shores and their extraordinary
inhabitants, this book will appeal to anyone with a love of the
shore--from occasional rockpooler through to enthusiastic naturalist.