| Summary: | Abstract This book is unique in providing a comparative overview of life at the two Poles, from ice caps to tundra and open ocean. It describes their physical characteristics, the communities of microorganisms, plants, and animals inhabiting them, and their interactions with the global environment. Fogg considers the origins of polar habitats, their subsequent colonization and population dynamics, and assesses the effects of human activities on the Pole, focusing on the changes that may result from global warming and stratospheric ozone depletion. The author has wide experience in marine and terrestrial ecology, and his background of research in both the Arctic and Antarctic is reflected in the book. This is the most authoritative and up-to-date volume currently available on polar biology. The text is clear and lively, well illustrated, and supplemented with ample references for further reading. It provides and excellent introduction for anyone intending to work in the polar regions, and will be ideal for students taking undergraduate and post-graduate courses in biology, ecology, microbial ecology, geography, and conservation.
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