There are only a handful of textbooks that cover the ecology and geology of the deep oceans, and even fewer that directly address the value of deep wild places. Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean is the first text to attempt a comprehensive exploration of the diverse issues raised by human exploitation in the deep sea. Covering both biological exploitation in the form of fisheries and genetic and scientific resources, as well as abiotic exploitation in the form of mineral and energy extraction, and the often overlooked but equally important use of the deep ocean as space for waste disposal, submerged telecommunication cables, and other services, this relatively slim book draws upon a large cohort of experts to integrate these topics.
As an introductory text for students and stakeholders just beginning to explore human use of the deep sea, Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean provides an accessible starting point. Subject matter experts will likely find each section a bit too sparse. However, the interdisciplinary nature of this textbook provides the reader a much broader context, bringing together articles that cover deep-sea mining, offshore oil and gas, cultural values, climate change, fisheries, and physical space into a single holistic work.
A valuable reference for anyone working in disciplines related to the deep sea, Natural Capital and Exploitation of the Deep Ocean is an important contemporary synthesis of ongoing and emerging issues facing the deep sea.