This volume in the Greenwood Guides to Biomes of the World: covers the saltwater biomes that exist along coastline, on the continental shelf, and the open sea, examining all aspects that define these biomes: Vegetation Geographical Distribution Challenges posed by the environment Adaptation of the plants and animals to the environment Conservation efforts Maps, photos, diagrams, drawings, and tables accompany the text, as do sidebars that highlight habitats, species, and ecological relationships. The volume includes a bibliography of accessible resources for further research.