The Silent Deep: The Discovery, Ecology, and Conservation of the Deep Sea

by Tony Koslow

The Silent Deep tells the story of the exploration and discovery of the deep sea, the ecology of its diverse environments, and the impact of humans, highlighting the importance of global stewardship in keeping this delicate ecosystem alive and well. Written by world renowned deep-sea ecologist Tony Koslow, this book is a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the state of the deep sea today, accessible to anyone interested in ocean science, the story of scientific discovery, and conservation of the earth’s most threatened ecosystems. “Koslow deals a decisive blow to the notion that the deep sea can ever be immune from unregulated human activities. . . . The historical review of deep-sea biology is the most comprehensive I have ever read.”—Adrian Glover, Times Literary Supplement “Deeply informed by history and rendered in straightforward, careful prose.”—Anthony Doerr, Boston Globe   “This beautifully produced book tells an urgent story with clarity and grace.”— Choice “Stands apart from other books about life in the abyss due to Tony Koslow’s thoughtful accounts. . . . [He] succeeds in painting a picture of the deep sea as an environment with inherent and threatened value.”— Science “Textbook depth on all aspects of deep-sea science and conservation. . . . [An] exhaustively researched and referenced volume with a historical review stretching back to Socrates.”—Mark Schrope, Nature   “An important textbook and viewpoint that is highly recommended for anyone with a professional or personal interest in deep-sea ecosystems.”— Quarterly Review of Biology  

Genres: Nonfiction, Ecology, Science, Biology

312 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2007

Reviews

[Rachel Nabors · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you a citizen of earth? Do you enjoy eating tasty oceanic creatures? Did you know that 70% of the planets habitat is in the deep sea? Or that the most abundant animal on this planet with a spine is a kind of fish only three inches long who lives there?

We know more about Mars's landscape than we do about the deepest parts of the oceans that cover more than half of this planet. With such a vast area left to explore, scientists are discovering new amazing and sometimes concerning things with every submersible dive, every ROV launch.

Fifteen years ago I read every book at two library systems about deep sea ecology. As an adult, I was approached about doing an interactive project taking place in outer space. I pitched the client that the deep sea would be a far superior location, giving us so many fantastic characters and real life stories to choose from. They were game, and it was off to the library with me to catch up on the latest discoveries.

This book makes me so proud of the human race. We have learned so much more about these creatures and habitats in fifteen years: from reproductive quirks to deep sea thermal vents. Some animals that utterly baffled scientists fifteen years ago we have full life stories for today. Yet so much remains to be learned.

This approachable book is like taking a deep sea marine biology program. It's enjoyable, accessible, and will illuminate your mind. Most importantly: it will help you better appreciate being alive in this magnificent speck of blue. And it will help you appreciate how important this hidden world is for future generations of mankind.

Read it and fall in love with the world all over again.

[Mark Fallon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. The deep sea is fascinating, and we learn more every year. The warnings about the harm we're doing to the environment are still going unheeded - at our own peril.

One bit of advice - If you're not a scientist (and I'm not), it's helpful to have a dictionary - online or physical - at hand for some terminology.

[Raven Zmolik · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly amazing book that sheds light on an ecosystem we know so little about. From what we do know, this book has covered a great variety from history to biodiversity to human impacts. Considering this book was written a while ago, I’d love to see a sequel come out addressing some of the issues at the end and incorporate more discoveries in recent years!

[g-na · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read on deep sea oceanography and conservation, and I found it both interesting and scary--scary because there is apparently no place on this planet that mankind has not touched or exploited. The deep seas, roughly defined as where no light penetrates, make up the majority of our oceans, yet humans seem to think that since we can't see it we therefore cannot harm it. I came away from this book realizing how important the deep seas are to us, and how crucial their conservation is. Recommended.

[sandusky · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book, about the biodiversity of the ocean, is a perfect companion to "demons in eden" by jonathan silvertown.

this book is pitched perfectly to the non-biologist, like me. its descriptions of the many kinds of deep sea communities amazed me, and the specialized flora, fauna, and other life forms that have evolved within these communities.

[Brielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting yet boring, if that makes sense