The books brought together in the “Seas and Oceans” Set make up a multi-disciplinary and systemic approach to the complexity, vulnerability, productivity and exploitation of the marine environment that is today faced with global change. This set of books does not simply describe and analyze the mechanisms that act on how these environments work, but it also presents a cross-disciplinary approach, leading to the governance, sustainable management of resources and adaptation of our societies to change.
Living marine resources have been used by humans for millennia. Progress in scientific research and biotechnologies has thus led to finding a use for algal biomass, as well as to the discovery of an astounding number of pharmaceuticals from marine organisms. Technological advances have also enabled us to develop means of exploiting renewable energy.