The Curious World of Seaweed

"A remarkable mixture of photos and writing. An important work well done." Fabien Cousteau Marine algae are the supreme eco-engineers of life: they oxygenate the waters, create habitat for countless other organisms, and form the base of a food chain that keeps our planet unique in the universe as we know it. In this beautiful volume Josie Iselin explores both the artistic and the biological presence of sixteen seaweeds and kelps that live in the thin region where the Pacific Ocean converges with the North American continenta place of incomparable richness. Each species receives a detailed description of its structure, ecological importance, and humans scientific inquiry into it, told in scientifically illuminating yet deeply reverent and inspired prose. Throughout the writings are historical botanical illustrations and Iselins signature, Marimekko-like portraits of each specimen that reveal their vibrant colorswhether rosy, "olivaceous," or grass-greenand whimsical shapes. Iselin posits that we can learn not only about the seaweeds but also from them: their resilience, their resourcefulness, their poetry and magic.