"Education should include the development of an environmental ethic," writes Desonie in the conclusion to this comprehensive introduction to ocean science and conservation. The author, who holds a PhD in oceanography, begins with a clear, detailed survey of relevant physical- and life-science concepts before moving on to chapters about the oceans' resources and how they are harvested, the human impact on marine animals and their habitats, and what governments and individuals can do to protect oceans from further devastation. Sidebars extend discussion on topics as varied as an oceanographer's instruments and the effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, while the visuals range from useful scientific charts to a dramatic, heart-pulling photo of a hunter poised to club a baby seal. A glossary and extensive resource list round out this rich, challenging, and timely resource in the Our Fragile Planet series. As debate about global warming intensifies, this is sure to find wide use across the curriculum.

DESONIE, Dana . Oceans: How We Use the Seas . 215p. ISBN 978-0-8160-6216-4 . LC 2007013560. ea vol: (Our Fragile Planet Series). charts. diags. illus. maps. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Chelsea House . 2007. PLB $35. Gr 9 Up Focusing in great detail on overexploitation of natural resources, these utilitarian books will be valuable resources for science reports. In Biosphere , "The Sixth Extinction" section is its most useful. A table lists five previous mass events, after which the factors contributing to today's conditions (loss of habitat, pollution, climate change, overharvesting, and invasive species) are methodically outlined with accompanying statistics. The color diagrams, maps, and photographs (some of which are upsetting) are few but effective. The second book opens with an overview of the world's oceans, then discusses marine resources, the effects of pollution and other human activities (overfishing, habitat destruction), and the future of these natural resources. The introductory material is available elsewhere, and overall the work is more textbooklike than photograph-rich volumes such as the Smithsonian Institution and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hidden Depths (Collins, 2007). Still, libraries that need detail on the toll that increased human activity takes on the oceans will find the discussions and statistics useful. Both books include quotes from reliable sources such as the academic journals Nature and Science , and the further-reading lists ( Biosphere 's is more thorough) also include citations from these resources, as well as from popular publications. Henrietta Thornton , School Library Journal