Table of Contents

Introduction; Part I. The Development of Deep-Sea Biology, The Physical Environment and Methods of Study: 1. Historical aspects; 2. The physical environment of the deep-sea; 3. Methods of study of the organisms of the deep-sea floor; Part II. Organisms of the Deep-Sea Benthic Boundary: 4. The megafauna; 5. Smaller animals; Part III. Patterns in Space: 6. Small-scale spatial patterns; 7. Abundance and size structure of the deep-sea benthos; 8. The diversity gradient; 9. Depth-related patterns in community composition; 10. Zoogeography, speciation and the origins of deep-sea fauna; Part IV. Processes Patterns in Time: 11. Food resources, energetics and feeding strategies; 12. Metabolic processes: microbial ecology at the deep-sea bed; 13. Reproduction, recruitment and growth of deep-sea organisms; 14. Animal sediment relations in the deep-sea; Part V. Parallel Systems and Anthropogenic Effects: 15. Deep-sea hydrothermal vents and cold seeps; 16. Anthropogenic impacts: man's effects on the deep-sea.

Reviews

' ... a landmark study, well-documented and lavishly illustrated ... strongly recommended as essential reading for all courses in marine biology.' Nature 'Their text is very up to date with comprehensive references to original papers providing an excellent introduction to this field.' Times Higher Education Supplement 'Researchers will cherish this book for its broad coverage and superb reference lists. Teachers will find its state-of-the-art reviews invaluable for preparing lectures and students for preparing essays ... Highly recommended.' Biologist