In coastal seas, from the tropics to the poles, seaweeds supply the energy required to support diverse coastal marine life and provide habitat for invertebrates and fish. Retaining the highly successful approach and structure of the first edition, this is a synthesis of the role of seaweeds in underpinning the functioning of coastal ecosystems worldwide. It has been fully updated to cover the major developments of the past twenty years, including current research on the endosymbiotic origin of algae, molecular biology including 'omics', chemical ecology, invasive seaweeds, photobiology and stress physiology. In addition to exploring the processes by which seaweeds, as individuals and communities, interact with their biotic and abiotic environment, the book presents exciting new research on how seaweeds respond to local and global environmental change. It remains an invaluable resource for students and provides an entry into the scientific literature of a wide range of topics.

'The first edition has always been my desk-side reading for my courses on Biology of Algae and Ecophysiology and Biochemistry of Seaweeds, and a reference book for my undergraduate and graduate students. With the incorporation of the latest knowledge on seaweeds and the functioning of coastal ecosystems, and reference to the latest key papers, this significantly augmented second edition adds new content on topical subjects such as coalescence, molecular biology, community interactions, invasive species, chemical defenses, kleptoplasty, nutrient availability and eutrophication, UV exposure, and adaptation to wave action and other environmental changes such as ocean acidification. The chapter on seaweed mariculture has been considerably expanded and will be very useful for any aquaculture course in which seaweeds deserve full recognition for the biomass they represent (fifty-one per cent of the world mariculture production), their highly diversified applications and the key ecosystem services they provide.'

Thierry Chopin - University of New Brunswick

'If there were a list of must-read books for student and researcher, then this book makes it for seaweed ecology and physiology. Knowledge of the connection between ecology and physiology is critical to well prepared graduates and research. From molecular to cellular biology, individuals to life-histories, population to community ecology through to ecosystem dynamics and human use and abuse, this book synthesizes our field’s key advances and thinking around the founding principles of seaweed biology. The final chapters show that none of these levels of biological organization and interactions with humans operate independently from the physical and chemical environment. Whether seaweeds are a source for humanity’s increasing need for food or a sink for pollution, they represent some of the most profoundly beautiful life-forms of our planet. This book does a superb job of bringing a comprehensive set of ideas, approaches, concerns and opportunity within easier reach of our imagination.'

Sean D. Connell - University of Adelaide

'I am enthusiastic about this exciting book! Congratulations to the authors! It is an excellent and highly needed update of the first edition! More than sixty per cent of the citations are new, i.e. from the period 1995–2013. So, the book perfectly summarizes the present state of the art. New chapters focus on recent developments, e.g. in molecular biology and genetics, chemical ecology, invasive seaweeds, stress physiology, physiological ecology and responses to local and global environmental changes. Polar, temperate, tropical and deep water as well as floating seaweed communities are now described in detail. Additionally, renowned experts in seaweed biology dig deeper into science and also give interesting insights into their motivation to work with seaweeds in enclosed essays. Overall the book is easy to read and motivates to read on. It is well suited for senior undergraduates and an excellent source for Ph.D. students, lecturers and even senior scientists.'

Christian Wiencke - Alfred Wegener Institute, Germany

'… [I am] delighted to see this new, updated version which was long overdue and urgently needed. The, hopefully, many new readers and new generations of students and researchers will have an excellent rounded book which, even in times of exponential increases in our knowledge, is a worthwhile investment for the next few years … My own copy will be heavily used. So the advice is: get your copy, and keep it handy and not too high up on the shelves … you will refer to it frequently.'

Source: German Botanical Society