The book presents recent research on marine ecology in different parts of the world. It aims to shed light on relevant topics for budding marine ecologists.

The “blue soup” of Planet Earth, which comprises both biotic and abiotic components, is essential to keeping the wheel of civilization running. Four major ecosystem service categories have been identified within this context, namely provisioning services such as water, food, mangrove timber, honey, fish, wax, fuel wood, fodder and bioactive compounds from marine and estuarine flora and fauna; regulating services such as the regulation of climate, coastal erosion, coral bleaching and pollution; cultural services encompassing recreational (tourism), spiritual and other non-material benefits; and supporting services such as nutrient cycling and photosynthesis. These valuable services are obtained from various resources that must be conserved for the sake of humanity. This book presents data for each resource type, not just in the form of a simple description, but also through case studies that resulted from several research projects and pilot programs carried out in different parts of the world. Statistical tools were also used to critically analyze the influence of relevant hydrological parameters on the biotic community. Advanced research in marine and estuarine ecology is based on the use of sophisticated instruments, sampling precision, statistical tools, etc., which have also been highlighted in the book.      

Chapter 1: Marine ecosystem: An overview.- Chapter 2: Estuarine ecosystem: An overview.- Chapter 3: Physical processes in the marine and estuarine ecosystems.- Chapter 4: Abiotic variables of the marine and estuarine ecosystems.- Chapter 5: Producers of the marine and estuarine ecosystems.-  Chapter 6: Consumers of the marine and estuarine ecosystems.- Chapter 7: Decomposers of the marine and estuarine ecosystems.- Chapter 8: Adaptation of marine and estuarine organisms.- Chapter 9: Hotspots of marine and estuarine ecosystems.- Chapter 10: Threats and conservation.- Chapter 11: Marine and estuarine ecosystems: Economic opportunities and risks.- Chapter 12: Instruments and methods.