The Blue Planet: A Natural History of the Oceans [ハードカバー]

The Blue Planet is a reminder of what we know and what we still don't know about the oceans and is a timely reminder of how fragile its ecosystems can be. We still know more about the surface of the moon than we do about the floor of the oceans. As David Attenborough reminds us in his introduction the highest peaks on Earth are still unclimbed and there are still thousands, maybe even millions, of animal species that remain undiscovered because all are hidden under the waves of the oceans. People have walked on the surface of the moon, nobody has walked on the floor of the deep ocean and probably never will. Looking at a book such as this you can get some idea of the thrill of exploring the last unknown section of our planet. And since 70 per cent of Earth's surface is covered in water, there is still plenty left to find out about.

The story the book tells is so momentous that much of the scientific background has to be condensed. For the general reader, however, this is an excellent and up-to-date introduction. Martha Holmes, one of the three authors is a marine biologist and all have worked in the Natural History Unit, the jewel in the crown of BBC TV, and so have been exposed to most of the researchers whose work has helped inform the series and the book. There is a useful glossary and index but, disappointingly, there is no Further Reading list for those who want to find out more. The Blue Planet will no doubt encourage a whole new generation of marine biologists and oceanographers.-- Douglas Palmer --このテキストは、 ハードカバー 版に関連付けられています。

"From space, Planet Earth is blue. It floats like a jewel in the inky black void. The reflection of the sun's light from the vast expanse of water covering its surface creates it gemlike blue color. In the entire solar system, Earth is the only planet that has water in liquid form in such quantities." Scientist have calculated that 70 percent of our planet is covered by water; small wonder that the human being shave always been so fascinated by the oceans and what lies beneath. Today, while we still have so much more of the ocean realm to uncover, we have discovered enough to know that beneath the waves lies a vast treasure-trove of rich and diverse life. Accompanying the television series of the same name, The Blue Planet leads up on a voyage of exploration from the coasts, the very edges of the oceans, to the deep where weird and monstrous fish lurk in a world of perpetual darkness. Along the way we are introduced to a whole host of wonderful creatures -- from tiny copepods to majestic blue whales, and from the grotesque hairy anglerfish, to the amazing tripod fish that stands on its three delicate legs waiting to snap up unsuspecting prey. Complete with a foreword by Sir David Attenborough and 400 full-color photographs, The Blue Planet is the first complete and comprehensive portrait of the whole ocean system.