Tropical Ecosystems and Ecological Concepts - Softcover

Osborne, Patrick

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521645239 ISBN 13: 9780521645232

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2009

Synopsis

Over one third of the earth's terrestrial surface is situated in the tropics, with environments ranging from hot deserts to tropical rain forests. This introductory textbook, aimed at students studying tropical ecology, provides a comprehensive guide to the major tropical biomes and is unique in its balanced coverage of both aquatic and terrestrial systems, and its international scope. The volume also considers the human ecological dimension, with coverage of issues such as population growth, urbanisation, agriculture and fisheries, natural resource use and pollution, plus global issues such as the conservation of biodiversity, climate change and the concept of ecological sustainability. The text is supported throughout by boxes containing supplementary material on a range of topics and organisms, plus mathematical concepts and calculations, and is enlivened with clear line diagrams, maps and photographs. A cross-referenced glossary, an extensive bibliography and a comprehensive index are included as further aids to study.

About this title

Review:

'The value of a text like this is its truly global coverage ... Given its coverage and accessible treatment of the subject it deserves a wide readership.' British Ecological Society

'... a good introduction into all major tropical ecosystems and will be of particular relevance for students, not only from tropical regions.' Stefan Porembski, Plant Systematics and Evolution

Book Description:

This introductory textbook, international in scope, provides a comprehensive guide to the major tropical biomes and is unique in its balanced coverage of both aquatic and terrestrial systems. The volume also considers human impact in the tropics and global issues such as the biodiversity loss and climate change.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0521645239
• ISBN 13: 9780521645232
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 480