America's Marine Sanctuaries

October 15, 2020
It's easy to appreciate the importance and splendor of national parks, but precious underwater reserves are out of sight and therefore out of mind. This entrancing volume freshly introduces readers to the marvels of the oceans, from the great gyres that churn the waters to the many forms of marine life?coral reefs and kelp forests, sea turtles, fish, whales, sea birds?that dwell on and near the dappled surface and at every level down to the deepest, most mysterious depths. A tour of the U.S. National Marine Sanctuary System then delivers glorious seascapes and undersea views of 14 precious regions, located in the Atlantic, from the Massachusetts coast to the Chesapeake Bay watershed to the Florida Keys; in the Gulf Coast; and in the Pacific, including Monterey Bay, the Hawaiian Islands, and American Samoa. Even the Great Lakes have one. Homes to endangered species and historic shipwrecks, these sanctuaries also offer safe, undisturbed places for crucial research. Vivid and informative commentary accompanies gorgeous color photographs to fully illuminate vibrant ecosystems of evolutionary ingenuity and intricate interconnectivity, inspiring awe and a sense of stewardship.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)