Now in its 5th edition, Elements of Marine Ecology is considered by many as the premier text on Marine Ecology. Comprehensive in its coverage, this new edition focuses on presenting marine ecology as a coherent science, providing undergraduate students with an essential foundation of knowledge in the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems. The text now reflects ecological groupings such as pelagic lifestyle versus benthic lifestyle. Also, background oceanographic material, currently found in various chapters, has now been consolidated into the first chapter. The broad definition of ecology is the study of organisms in relation to their surroundings. This book presents marine ecology as a coherent science, providing undergraduate students with an essential foundation of knowledge in the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems. The fifth edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to meet the needs of today's courses and now includes worldwide examples, thoroughly updated and brand new chapters.