Book excerpt: 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.