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The Biology of Polar Regions
There is now an increased awareness of the importance of polar regions in the Earth system, as well as their vulnerability to anthropogenic derived change, including of course global climate change. This new edition offers a concise but comprehensive introduction to polar ecology and has been thoroughly revised and updated throughout, providing expanded coverage of marine ecosystems and the impact of humans. It incorporates a detailed comparison of the Arctic and Antarctic systems, with a particular emphasis on the effects of climate change, and describes marine, freshwater, glacial, and terrestrial habitats. This breadth of coverage is unique in the polar biology literature.
As with other titles in the Biology of Habitats Series , particular emphasis is placed on the organisms that dominate these extreme environments although pollution, conservation and experimental aspects are also considered. This accessible text is suitable for both senior undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in polar ecology, often as part of a wider marine biology degree program. It will also be of value and use to the many professional ecologists and conservation biologists requiring a concise overview of the topic.
As with other titles in the Biology of Habitats Series , particular emphasis is placed on the organisms that dominate these extreme environments although pollution, conservation and experimental aspects are also considered. This accessible text is suitable for both senior undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in polar ecology, often as part of a wider marine biology degree program. It will also be of value and use to the many professional ecologists and conservation biologists requiring a concise overview of the topic.
410 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2008
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December 25, 2012
This was a sweet read. Since the book is purely about biology, it's descriptive in its entirety. Only the first part, Introduction to the polar regions, contains data that is familiar terrain to a person used to a more exact science. Not only stuff like thermal energy and what happens to it (solar radiation, its absorption and reflection), but it also brushes on topics that are "physics of ocean" type - MOC, El Nino, various clines.
From the second part onward, real biology starts. The second part, on adaptation of the species to the environment, requires some knowledge on cell biology, and perhaps even biochemistry, but I don't think that will pose a problem to a dedicated student. I really enjoyed the book - it's wonderfully descriptive and full of information. Reading about animal species in those polar regions was fun. Most of my information about polar animals stems from documentaries, so a serious book nicely filled in the gaps in my knowledge.
For me, the only downside were black and white photos. But despite that minor qualm, I decided to give The biology of polar regions five stars.
From the second part onward, real biology starts. The second part, on adaptation of the species to the environment, requires some knowledge on cell biology, and perhaps even biochemistry, but I don't think that will pose a problem to a dedicated student. I really enjoyed the book - it's wonderfully descriptive and full of information. Reading about animal species in those polar regions was fun. Most of my information about polar animals stems from documentaries, so a serious book nicely filled in the gaps in my knowledge.
For me, the only downside were black and white photos. But despite that minor qualm, I decided to give The biology of polar regions five stars.
Displaying 1 of 1 review