Poole Harbour is protected and recognised, nationally and internationally, for its ecological importance. However, it has also been classified as polluted and eutrophic. These twin designations - protected yet polluted - exemplify the condition of many estuaries, making Poole Harbour an ideal subject for elucidating the circumstances behind this apparent paradox.

The outcome of a conference entitled 'Spotlight on Poole Harbour: Environment & Economics' organised by the Poole Harbour Study Group, this book comprises four main parts. Part I, 'Background', provides a broad introduction to the harbour in terms of its pre-historical and historical significance for human communities and gives a conceptual overview of its modern character and uses. Part II, 'Ecology', contains chapters ranging from plankton to marine mammals. The subsequent parts focus on industries dependent on the biological and chemical 'ecological services' of the estuary: Part III, 'Fisheries', covers recreational and commercial fishing and aquaculture, examining economic value and key shellfish species. Part IV, 'Water Quality', addresses those industries that require the harbour to remediate various effluents, as well as some of the environmental consequences and noteworthy efforts to reduce such impacts. Part V, 'Conclusion', by the editors examines certain general shortcomings of environmental legislation and regulation manifest in the case of Poole Harbour.

A central concern throughout is the question of sustainable development in coastal and marine contexts, making this wide-ranging study relevant well beyond the bounds of its primary geographical focus.

About the Author

John Humphreys is Professor of Marine Biology and formerly Pro Vice-chancellor of the University of Greenwich and Chair of the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority. His edited volumes include Marine Protected Areas: Science, Policy and Management (2020) with Rob Clark and Challenges in Estuarine and Coastal Sciencewith Sally Little (2022).

Alice E. Hall is a marine biologist at the University of Plymouth, specialising in marine ecology and ecological engineering. Alice has conducted research within the harbour for the last six years. She is also the environmental commissioner for Poole Harbour Commissioners.

Reviews

Harbour Ecology is a well-sourced collection of scientific papers...It balances much-needed facts and figures with charts and diagrams and is a good source of information for ecologists and naturalists alike.

-- Neil Garrick Maidment, British Naturalists' Association

The editors are to be congratulated in bringing together an impressive set of papers in this very well-produced book.

-- Mike Elliot, The Marine Biologist



Book Information
ISBN 9781784274030
Author John Humphreys
Format Hardback
Page Count 292
Imprint Pelagic Publishing
Publisher Pelagic Publishing
Weight(grams) 667g