Environmental Biology

Environmental Biology offers a fresh approach to the topic in demonstrating how biological principles are applied to solve environmental problems.

Mike Calver (Edited by), Alan Lymbery (Edited by), Jennifer McComb (Edited by), Mike Bamford (Edited by)

9780521679824, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 18 May 2009

744 pages
25.6 x 19.1 x 3.9 cm, 1.54 kg

Environmental Biology offers a fresh, problem-solving treatment of the topic for students requiring a biology background before further study in environmental science, sustainable development or environmental engineering. It begins with an environmental theme that carries through the text, using three major case studies with a regional focus. Key foundational knowledge is introduced and developed as the text progresses, with students encouraged to integrate their accumulated learning to reach solutions. A comprehensive coverage of scientific method, including field experimentation and field techniques, is an important part of the approach. While emphasising the environmental theme, the book introduces all facets of the biology discipline, including cell biology, evolution, ecology, conservation and restoration. There are over 500 line drawings, diagrams and photos throughout, including full-colour sections, and each chapter includes summaries and comprehensive questions. The accompanying online Instructors' Resource includes multiple-choice questions, 'Test your knowledge' solutions and video footage.

List of contributors
Preface
Acknowledgements
Part I. What is Environmental Biology?: 1. Environmental biology and our time Mike Calver, Alan Lymbery and Jen McComb
Part II. The Scientific Method and the Unifying Theories of Modern Biology: 2. Science and the environment Chris Dickman and Mathew Crowther
3. Cell theory I - the cellular basis of life Carolyn Jones and Mike Calver
4. Cell theory II - cellular processes and the environment Carolyn Jones and Mike Calver
5. Cell theory III - the cell cycle Annette Koenders
6. Evolutionary theory - the origin and fate of genetic variation Alan Lymbery and David Ayre
7. The history of life on Earth Stephen Hopper
Part III. Applying Scientific Method - Understanding Biodiversity: 8. Coping with cornucopia - classifying and naming biodiversity Alan Lymbery and Howard Gill
9. Microscopic diversity - the prokaryotes and viruses Graham O'Hara
10. Mysterious diversity - the protists and the fungi Treena Burgess and Luke Twomey
11. The greening of the land - plant diversity I Barbara Bowen, Mike van Keulen and Jen McComb
12. The greening of the land - plant diversity II Bernie Dell, Mike van Keulen, Jen McComb and Barbara Bowen
13. Life on the move: introducing animal diversity Mike Calver and Alan Lymbery
14. Life on the move - the spineless majority Alan Lymbery and Mike Calver
15. Life on the move - vertebrates and other chordates Mike Bamford
16. Boom and bust - population ecology Mike Calver and Stuart Bradley
17. Living together: communities and ecosystems Barbara Bowen and Philip Ladd
18. Marine habitats Eric Paling
19. Marine lifestyles Eric Paling and David Ayre
20. Inland aquatic environments: wetland diversity, physical and chemical processes Jane Chambers, Jenny Davis and Arthur McComb
21. Inland aquatic environments: the ecology of lentic and lotic waters Jane Chambers, Jenny Davis and Arthur McComb
22. Terrestrial habitats Philip Ladd and Mark Garkaklis
23. Terrestrial lifestyles Philip Ladd and Mark Garkaklis
Part IV. The Future - Applying Scientific Method to Conserving Biodiversity and Restoring Degraded Environments: 24. The science of conservation biology Grant Wardell-Johnson and Pierre Horwitz
25. Cultural conservation biology Pierre Horwitz and Grant Wardell-Johnson
26. Redressing the problem - environmental restoration Richard Hobbs
27. A natural legacy Mike Calver, Alan Lymbery and Jen McComb (with contributions by Daniel Lunney and Harry Recher)
Glossary
Index.

Subject Areas: Environmental science, engineering & technology [TQ], Conservation of the environment [RNK], Applied ecology [RNC]