Overview

What is rich with vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and proteins, is used to develop everything from cosmetics to pesticides and can be found on any beach in the Pacific Northwest? The answer, many will be astonished to discover, is seaweed. An important food source in Asia for centuries, seaweed is increasingly used in the West for industrial and scientific chemicals, plant fertilisers and livestock feed supplements. Scientists are also just beginning to explore the medicinal value of seaweeds; the powerful nutrients in these amazing plants have been used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), some cancers and strokes. With line drawings and vivid colour photographs, this easy-to-use book thoroughly documents every aspect of seaweed life, from species identification and seaweed biology to the essential -- and often surprising -- roles seaweed plays in the marine ecosystem and our everyday lives. Clear and informative, and packed with comprehensive scientific information, interesting facts, further readings and even an assortment of tasty seaweed recipes, this unique and highly readable guidebook will appeal to marine biologists, amateur beachcombers and everyone in between.

Full Product Details

9781550172409

Table of Contents

Reviews

""...the book is way beyond a field guide. It has sections on seaweeds in general, explaining their biology, morphology and their place in our universe... I not only like the information packed in this book, I very much enjoyed the writing style... While seaweeds do not have the pizzazz of orchid flowers, fall maples or fly agaric, they are a fascinating group and worthy of study and admiration. This book will help in your hunt for new and old species."" Roy John, Canadian Field Naturalist, Vol 130, No 2, 2016 ""If you've ever wondered about the names of seaweeds that have washed up on shore, this is the guide to reach for. Of the several methods employed by the authors to aid your identification efforts, one of the most clever is the way seaweeds are photographed... What plainly comes through in this book is that the authors are enthusiastic and passionate about these plants of the sea."" --National Outdoor Book Awards

Author Information

Louis Druehl is a splitter of firewood and whacker of brush. He is also the editor of The New Bamfielder newspaper and author of Pacific Seaweeds (Harbour Publishing) As a marine botanist, Dr. Druehl was involved in establishing the Bamfield Marine Station, where he also taught and conducted research. He created Cedar, Salmon and Weed in his office located in a small shed on the waterfront, looking up each morning to see a young First Nation worker boat by. They would wave to each other and slowly the young man became the novels character, Ben.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available