Review Archive 2002

Andrew Jordan (ed). Environmental Policy in the European Union. Earthscan.

Considering that the environment was not one of the main topics when the Common Market was formed over 40 years ago it's had a remarkable rise. Today, environmental issues occupy a main stage in EU thinking and documentation (see EU websites for example) and can be seen, rightly, as a major success for the Union. With this success comes complexity. Whereas it was good enough to be able to know the early Directorate dealing with environmental matters it is now essential to know a whole raft of organisations, policy trends and processes.

That's where this book comes in. Subtitled actors, institutions and processes it deals with both the development and the running of EU policy today. Jordan opens with a chapter which outlines the structure of the book and contributions of the other authors. Part one starts with a historical overview divided into the three main areas: up to 1992, Maastrict and post-Amsterdam. Such a division is crucial not just to understand the development but to break the discussion into the three real phases that environmental policy was viewed in. Part two looks at the actors involved. Five chapters cover all the main groups from 'green' member states to local policy, the European court of justice, European Parliament and outside groups. Perhaps one of the reasons for the strong policy we have today is the way the subject has grown. It always appeared to be an area where local groups could have as great an impact as major institutional players and the advent of locally-inspired 'green' parties in Germany, for example, highlighted this. It's no good having a great social movement if it never makes any policy and so parts three and four focus on this area. Policy doesn't just turn up, it needs to be created! Of course, once you have some its easier to say how it could be formed but the key is to analyse the system to find the theoretical components. That's where part three comes in. This is no easy task: even the 'simplest' EU legislation is a highly complex piece of work. By attempting a theory of policy we can see which groups are key actors. Part four turns to a more specific analysis by looking at case studies to see how that policy came into being. The results only serve to highlight the complexity rather than provide a clear view.

Despite the problems in analysing such a complex picture, this is an excellent overview. It provides a good history of environmental policy and sound analysis of key actors and processes. This is not a book for beginners - it demands a certain level of knowledge to understand how everyone fits into the picture but it will act as a great reference work for teachers and higher education students needing a sound overview of the topic.

Jeanne X Kasperson and Roger E Kasperson. Global Environmental Risk. Earthscan.

We normally consider the impact of people on the environment but this is usually in terms of specific changes to the ecosystems. In the last 10-15 years we have seen the development of a different perspective - that changes to the system are inevitable and what we need to assess is how much we can tolerate. In other words, how much risk can we allow ourselves without creating irreversible damage? By turning usual human-environment study around we face a far more difficult, but ultimately important, set of questions.

This book arose out of workshops held over 10 years ago. The timescale shows something of the new nature of this task. There are few texts on global environmental risk assessment and so much of the work presented here is based on recent research. The opening chapter provides both an overview and a statement of the key themes of the text: global risk is our ultimate threat, uncertainty is a key feature, spatial/scalar variations in risk will occur, vulnerability is a human-mediated concept and futures can be negotiated. These ideas are not yet common and they help the reader to create a focus for the work that follows. In addition to this overview there is a good outline of key risk principles and reactions. Part two comprises three chapters with a focus on providing a framework for risk assessment. This is done by considering conceptual frameworks, changes in perceptions between developed and developing nations and the allowance for chaotic responses. Part two examines the idea of vulnerability. Like risk, this depends on the system and who is involved. That these risks might be global obviously brings in the whole spectrum of human responses (but how do we allow for this?). In addition, key players can often off load the risk to poorer players which brings in the question of equity in risk assessment. Simply, if the rich can risk and pass on the losses to the poor, why should they be concerned about global change? Part three moves into case studies with a number of high risk regions being evaluated. The range covers ecosystem and region and so provides an interesting counterpoint to earlier theory. One particular case, the North Sea, also provides the perspective of a less-than-universal idea on global warming which makes it both local and interesting. The final series of chapters in part four explore ways in which risk can be assessed and dealt with equitably.

As a major text on a relatively new subject the work is specialised and so is suited to an undergraduate audience (for whom it must be seen as a crucial text in this field). However, as is often the case with such texts, the wealth of ideas, diagrams, cases and questions create an interesting assessment that could be used, with great effect, in a range of school settings. For both reasons, this book deserves the widest readership.

Charles J Krebs. Ecology. 5e. Benjamin Cu.mmings ISBN: 0 321 06879 3

In the recent history of ecology texts one can distinguish four main 'generations'. The first started with the Odum's and their work on energetics. This approach was superceded by analyses which focussed on the analysis of populations and their distributions (which is where Krebs' first edition was aimed). This in turn was overtaken by those who saw mainstream ecology as a question of individuals, populations and communities. The latest idea seems to be to focus on the evolutionary aspects of ecology although it's probably too early to be definitive about this. Whereas work on energetics is now less common in introductory texts all the other approaches are still being used. It is testimony to the ideas that Krebs' book is now in its fifth edition. It is interesting to see how changes in the study of ecology have been reflected in this work which still bears the ideas which made the first edition so useful.

The book starts with two chapters under the general heading of 'what is ecology'. There is the introductory chapter which outlines the way in which ecology has developed within the notion of the scientific method. This is complemented by an overview chapter on evolution and ecology. Part two focusses on population distribution starting with a brief guide to methods employed and key ecological principles. The next four chapters in this section take a specific limitation and explore it in detail both theoretically and through a series of case studies. The topics - dispersal, habitat selection, interrelations and abiotic environments are used to show how the ideal pattern of population distribution is affected by a range of other considerations. This part ends with an examination of a tricky issue for beginners - the ideas of abundance and distribution. Using a range of cases, Krebs outlines the distinction between these two terms. Part three is a comprehensive look at population ecology. It starts with a look at population parameters which is more a question of basic methods used. This moves on to life tables and demographics. From this, one is drawn into the main idea - population growth. Of course, populations don't grow to their maximum size because there are numerous factors against it. Some of the most important ones are the subject of subsequent chapters: competition, predation, herbivory and mutualism and diseases and parasitism. At this point we have sufficient detail to see the causes of population size limits. The next chapter moves on to look at a more mathematical approach to population regulation. Finally, the author turns to some key practical questions. Three aspects of population regulation are chosen to represent key current issues: harvesting, pest control and conservation biology. The former two deal with the removal of wanted and unwanted species respectively and the resulting impact on the population structure of the species. The latter outlines ways of increasing the population of specific species. Part four looks at community-level distributions. It is one of the paradoxes that individual and community limits have different parameters. Starting with an overview of the concept of community, Krebs moves on to look at community change. This is followed by a trio of chapters under the concept of community organisation. The first chapter deals with biodiversity and examines measurement and density and diversity gradients. The second chapter examines predation and competition in equilibrium communities whilst the third provides an overview of non-equilibrium situations. The next three chapters also form a unit only in this case dealing with metabolism (primary and secondary production and nutrient cycles). A final chapter deals with human impacts on ecosystem health. Each chapter starts with a brief overview which sets the scene for the work to follow. In addition, chapters are profusely illustrated in colour with images and diagrams. Useful additions in this area include pictures of animals and plants described in case studies and photographs of key ecologists (extremely useful in helping beginners get a feel for the human side of the subject). There are the usual boxes used to discuss ideas or highlight a key point. Summaries (providing a useful overview), key concept lists (highlighting crucial points), references and questions complete the chapter.

Overall, this is an excellent text. It is easy to see the author's development of his case as you go through the successive editions. Here, we have a well-written, accessible text which keeps to its original premises but brings in readily those new aspects of research which impinge upon its themes. It should be seen as one of the standard undergraduate texts but it is also most suitable for senior secondary students who would easily be able to understand the majority of the text.

Jeffrey S Levinton. Marine Biology: Function, Biodiversity, Ecology. 2e. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 0 19 514172 5

Marine biology and ecology, outside specialist areas, was limited to coastal areas. The tremendous advances in the last twenty years have meant that both area and complexity of study has increased. Television and other media have added to this interest. To put this enthusiasm into ecological studies there is a need for good basic coverage.

This text is aimed at the student who intends to take the subject to undergraduate level. The 19 chapters are arranged into 8 sections which together cover a comprehensive range of topics. The opening section examines the basics of the subject. This starts with a very brief overview of marine exploration and continues into basic physical divisions and ecological principles. The areas covered here are quite diverse, ranging from simple ecological terms to elements of cladistics. Part two looks in more detail and the marine environment from the point of view of a habitat and the physiological adaptations needed to thrive in it. Up to this point the reader has been given a crash course in the basic ideas needed to understand marine life. From part three this changes to a more detailed look at specific types of marine organisms starting with the open ocean. The chapters, plankton and nekton, are headed 'the water column' and this gives an indication of the range of habitats noted and organisms covered. Given the importance of the open ocean to our commercial life it is not surprising that a further part, four, is devoted to the issue of abundance and productivity. Part five moves to the sea bed with an examination of both plant and animal life. Finally, in part six we are shown coastal processes and lifeforms. The two chapters covering this aspect provide an unusual approach with tidelands forming one element and reefs and kelp forests the other. The penultimate part examines the deep sea with its unusual assemblages. There's also a section on biodiversity which doesn't actually look at the deep sea but at species diversity, extinctions, speciation and invasive species. The final part looks at human impact with fishing and mariculture on the one hand and pollution on the other hand.

This is a very good basic text on marine biology and ecology. Chapters are very accessible especially with the useful addition of putting key statements at the heads of paragraphs rather than as sidebars. The advantage of this is that it makes it far clearer which parts of the text to focus on. There are the usual boxes dealing with specific issues, called 'hot topics' here which allow the author to focus on more of the important issues as well as giving a personal overview of the aspect involved. To assist the learner each chapter has a selected bibliography and set of review questions. Each chapter is well illustrated in addition to two sets of colour plates in the text. A CD Rom is included which provides the reader with a large collection of reference photographs as well as links to marine sites on the Internet. Up to this point we have a good basic text. What sets it apart is the more personal style of the author. His interest and enthusiasm show in his writing and this helps to pull the reader through the text almost like a novel in places. The 'hot topics' boxes allow his personal view on controversies which at least gives the student an insight into the dynamics of research often lacking in other texts. Overall, an excellent text for students interested in this topic.

William M Lewis Jr. Wetlands Explained. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 0 19 513184 3

The subtitle of this text is 'wetlands science, policy and politics in America' which describes its compass but not its focus. It's generally agreed that wetlands are some of the most endangered habitats on Earth but what we need to know is how they work and why they are so threatened. The opening chapter describes the modern management of wetlands in terms of usage and conservation. The background here is quite technical in the sense that an understanding of US legal processes and legislation would be useful but the actual story is one that would be familiar to many outside North America. Lewis describes each major element of wetlands action (and inaction) as it occurs giving us a very clear idea of what's happening. This is a really good scene-setter for the chapters that follow. Chapter two tries to outline what a wetland is, which soon brings us to the thorny question of definition. Rather than leave it at that we are given a chance to see the pros and cons of these definitions and therefore gain a better insight into the practical nature of wetlands. This is followed by a simply worded explanation of how a wetland functions both hydrologically and ecologically. Chapter four takes a closer look at the hydrological elements whilst chapter five describes the soils found in wetland areas. Soils might seem to be outside the scope of wetlands but, given the drainage and use of these areas for agriculture, it is very much in keeping with the aims of the text. Chapter 6 takes a different perspective on ecology. Rather than food webs and niches, this part of the book looks at prevalence and dominance indexing as a way of determining the way in which wetlands can be classified, described and, ultimately, managed. Although many readers might find this slightly difficult at first, this new way of looking at wetlands actually helps to broaden our focus on ecology. Here we need to consider broad methods for management rather than the minutiae. The two final chapters are linked in that they deal with human action. Chapter 7 considers risk analysis as a way of finding which wetlands are most able to be conserved. Chapter 8 acts as both summary and way forward. The twin ideas - that the public need more information and that scientists need to be active in policy - is hardly new but put in the context of this case it becomes a thought-provoking end to this study.

This is a surprising text. One might expect a very closely argued text specifically on US wetlands with little relevance outside the area. What we get is a concise, slim volume which acts as a great review guide to any wetland. The language is extremely accessible and although more illustrations would be useful there is much in this text that even lower secondary students could use. The thread of the story is US policy but it is put in such a way that it can easily be translated into another nation or run parallel to it as a comparison. Its also a good case study in environmental politics. This means that overall, the text is valid in a range of contexts and educational situations. Anyone interested in wetlands would do well to read this book.

Andrew Light and Holmes Rolston III (eds). Environmental Ethics: An Anthology. Blackwell Publishing. ISBN: 0 631 22294 4

Perhaps it is possible to gauge the maturity of a discipline by the way it develops away from the purely pragmatic into realms of moral concerns but then, environmentalism has never been a standard discipline. Consideration of the way in which it views the world is central to the way this normative science has developed. Thus the idea of an 'ethics' focussed on the environment is quite natural. This is not, of course, the same as saying that it is either standard subject matter or that it is simple. This not withstanding, there have been a number of texts highlighting the way in which we view the environment. One key early text, Alasdair Clayre's Nature and Industrialisation (OUP 1977), showed clearly the way in which people related to their environment. However, this took examples spanning the centuries. What we have here is a more modern debate (most of the papers are from the 1980s and 90s with only 1 reaching back to 1949) which looks not at the whole range of ideas of thinking about the environment but at a few key issues. To illustrate these issues, the editors have selected 40 papers divided into 7 parts.

For those new to the field the introductory chapter provides a very good overview of the main ideas followed in environmental ethics as well as an outline of the text that follows. Although much of the text can be read in any order of interest to the reader this first chapter is central. For those wanting to see how the subject is developing, part one provides a good selection. With a sub-title 'what is environmental ethics?', the editors have chosen three cases for us to examine. The first, an overview of ethics, highlights the way in which the subject has developed. The other two form a pair with a chapter on more 'classical' ethics from Leopold paired against a modern text on the need for a new look at ethics. The selections made in this first part are mirrored elsewhere. Whereas there is a considerable volume of material published, the editors have been careful to pare down the papers used. This means that in all parts the editors select only a few of the best examples to highlight issues rather than bury them in too much detail. Part two looks at the treatment of groups in ethics. Traditionally, this has been focussed on people but in terms of the environment we must also consider animals and now, from the cases chosen here, ecosystems. This might appear at first sight to be a dry issue but when one considers the original ideas of human-environment relationships in a Judeo-Christian perspective one can see that there is much debate needed. Part three considers the intrinsic value of nature. What price a piece of landscape or a rare animal? Priceless? - almost certainly, but this doesn't stop us polluting or destroying ecosystems. Part four discusses the range of possible ethical positions. Far from having one view we can now see that a range of equally valid options is possible. This is best shown in part five which looks at three disparate ethical positions - deep ecology, ecofeminism and environmental pragmatism. Whether by design or accident, these three cases appear like a spectrum from the deep green ideas of deep ecology through the more considered areas of a female perspective to the more practical perspective of pragmatism. Again, this part highlights one of the central ideas of the book - only a few of the many positions are dealt with: it is assumed that other readings would follow after the selection here. Up to this point there has been a theoretical leaning in the debate. Part six goes in the opposite direction to consider concrete, practical cases. Three main issues: sustainability, restoration ecology and preservation/conservation, are highlighted. Although the potential list is considerable, these three cases are topical and they do provide a clear example from which to increase one's reading. Finally, part 7 turns the question back on us. Rather than worry about species, habitats etc perhaps we should explore what precisely we do want. At some stage we will need to find answers to these questions: this book helps the debate.

There is no easy answer to many of the questions posed here, neither do the editors expect them. What we do have is a good range of illustrations taken from a variety of sources. It is clear that others could have been chosen but then the aim was to give people new to the field some idea of what to expect. The 40 papers selected for this volume must be taken as representative of their perspectives. The major sections of the book (and the sub-sections in some parts) take important issues in contemporary ethical debate, which makes this a valuable resource. Given the advanced contents, this is a book more aimed at teacher and undergraduate but the ideas can be applied anywhere from primary to university.

Jianguo Liu and William W Taylor (eds). Integrating Landscape Ecology into Natural Resource Management. Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 0 521 78433 6

'Landscape ecology... studies landscape structure, function and change". This quote, from the opening page of the introductory chapter sums up this relatively new topic. Those familiar with abiotic divisions in the 1970s might start thinking about watersheds and their use in landscape analysis. I think the point with this new text is that whilst watersheds are landscape units (because, like all landscapes, they are heterogenous collections of homogenous patches) not all landscapes are watersheds. This means that we move outside the definition of ecosystem to confront a real-world situation whereby ownership and management matter as much (if not more) that ecological constraints. To this idea of landscape units the editors add natural resource management. The genesis of this book was in a conference along a similar theme in 1998 as part of the work of the International Association for Landscape Ecology. The editors have taken the proceedings of this conference and added where necessary to make a text to link the two disciplines.

The book is divided into six parts. The introduction, which outlines the nature of landscape ecology, forms the first part with part two (chapters two to six) focussing on multi-scale analysis and management. One of the problems of ecology is that work is scale-dependent i.e. different processes seem to work at different scales. With landscapes there is just the one-scale (landscape!) but numerous divisions within that. This seems to suggest that there is a fundamental mis-match between the two. It takes the cases presented in this part to demonstrate how this can be overcome. One answer (chapter two) is to consider which scales are important and make plans based on that. Management would thus be determined by the key characteristics (physical or biological) of the area (a point reinforced in chapter three which looks at wildlife populations). Chapter four takes a slightly different perspective. It argues that in conserving areas we shouldn't just look at the large patches such as national parks but at the smaller patches such as surround our cities and towns for they are equally valuable both ecologically and culturally. Of course, there's no reason why a landscape has to be terrestrial. Chapter five puts the case for aquatic landscapes - or, more reasonably, that the concepts and processes of landscape ecology could be equally usefully be applied to rivers. If we needed further convincing, the final chapter in this part reminds us of the need for integration of natural and social sciences. Part three three looks at large scale areas in general and the issues created when crossing boundaries in particular. We know that areas like, say UK National Parks are multi-ownership but we tend to forget it because of the way in which NPs are dealt with. However, we need to be reminded that the land is not a series of clearly defined areas but a series of layers each with their own aspects (wildlife, ownership, geology etc.) and with virtually no common boundaries. This is both an ecological and socio-political problem which needs a range of skills to resolve. A case study of the Oregon coast shows us some of the problems that we can face. One of the issues raised by multi-facetted areas is that they have a larger number of 'edges' than other areas. This means that the ecology of edge effects can be used. however, this needs to be evaluated: chapter 8 gives us a chance to consider one way of doing this. Finally, we are reminded that water has always been both ubiquitous and multi-owned. This means that we need to consider carefully the effect on one area of water management is another. From this it becomes clear that landscape doesn't have to be something that we are living in/on: it can be the area some distance away whose natural systems affect us. Part four focusses on landscape change. In addition to all other aspects we must note that landscapes are not static. This means that plans need to be flexible if they are to be useful. Each of the three chapter looks at a different area. The first argues for a greater efficiency in fieldwork: sampling must be made more flexible through better design coupled with good base data. If we take this into account then the chances of wildlife being minimally effected will improve (chapter 12). If we are to achieve either of these objectives then we need to be aware, as chapter 13 reminds us, that we will be dealing with a range of owners and bureaucracies - we must find ways of getting people to work together. This makes research much more than just data gathering and brings in the realm of diplomacy! To this point, the text has been looking at the structure, function and changes in landscape through multi-scale, cross-boundary and adaptive management respectively. The actual aim is to get everything working together which is the focus of part five. Landscape concepts need to be put into general analysis and not just used on special occasions (chapter 14). The use of such an approach is not confined to terrestrial species but is equally applicable to fish stocks (chapter 15). To do this we need to use every tool at our disposal with increasing interest being shown in spatial technologies such as geographic information systems (chapter 16). Finally, we must be prepared to consider multi-use of areas especially for wildlife (chapter 17). The final brief part acts as a synthesis highlighting the problems and prospects for landscape ecology.

Although this is a text for more advanced students there is still a great deal to be gained from it. As a study of multi-disciplinary work it shows what can be done. As an introduction to landscape ecology it provides a good deal to think about. From the teaching perspective its practical nature means that it can provide the stimulus for a range of educational activities. This is the first book in a new landscape series for Cambridge. Given the quality and utility of this text one can look forward to future texts in this series.

Richard Mackay. The Atlas of Endangered Species. Earthscan. ISBN: 1 85383 874 8.

Although the scientific arguments for conservation are strong and the need to be aware of threatened plants and animals is accepted there is still the need for public education in the matter. This slim text is an excellent example of what is needed. It divides the topic into 6 main sections with a final set of statistical tables dealing with the number of endangered species per nation/area. Each main section is selective in its choice of material. For example, the first part deals with extinction. Brief sections on evolution, mass extinctions, dinosaurs and hominids demonstrate the main points. The aim is to be informative rather than comprehensive and the choice works well. Each sub-topic is given two or three pages to outline its case - which is usually highly graphic. In the case of extinctions this means timelines but subsequent chapters use a range of world maps. Following the theme of selectivity, part two, ecosystems, chooses six - tropical forests, temperate forests, grasslands, wetlands, mangroves and corals. Here the maps show extent and threat usually with graphics illustrating the size of threat. A brief commentary highlights key aspects of the topic under discussion. Part three looks at a small range of areas all of which could be said to be fragile regions but whose size varies tremendously from the Galapagos Islands to Australia (which is often not that fragile!). The selection show just how pervasive human activity can be even in the most remote (Arctic/Antarctic) and thinly populated (Australia) places. The selection here not only shows different areas but also a different range of factors behind the fragility. Parts 4 and 5 are examples of key plants and animal species under threat. Each example has a map showing the extent of the threat as well as a range of species representative of that group of organisms. The commentary often explains the reasons for the threat. The last part looks at conservation issues from biodiversity and hotspots to conservation and trade. Data are global-map based but vary according to the aspect studied. Thus trade has statistics by nation whilst conservation looks at the number of places where it can be carried out.

The production standard of this book is extremely high which makes it a joy to read through or just browse. The simple examples are reasonable enough for the advanced conservationist to accept whilst being straightforward enough for the student to appreciate the topic (even in lower secondary school). Couple this with a well chosen range of cases and a very reasonable price and the entire package becomes an excellent prospect. Quite simply, every school and institution library should get a copy of this text.

Glen MacDonald. Biogeography: Introduction to Space, Time and Life. Wiley. ISBN: 0 471 24193 8

Biogeography was at one time limited to the study of plant and animal distributions. The interest in this area has been so great that the subject has expanded considerably both in terms of the amount of material written and the breadth of subjects taken to be part of the subject. Today, it is essential that any introductory book at least outline the key geographical and ecological aspects of the subject. This leaves us with the usual problems of what to include/exclude and also how the text can be divided to make it accessible to the reader.

MacDonald has chosen a very precise, logical path. He argues in the introduction that there are three main aspects in the study of biogeography: ecology and changes through space; evolution and changes through time and methodology. This covers the areas of how and why organisms are where they are, how this changes through time and what we can do to understand it by virtue of our advances in research. It's this last part which is less well documented in other texts but does serve to show people new to the field (the target audience for the book) how the subject works. Before we reach this section (the book is divided into three), we start at the first major section looking at spatial distributions which is, essentially, environmental biogeography. Chapter two opens with a review of biological classification, populations and communities and an outline of the physical environment. The physical theme is continued into chapter three which examines key abiotic factors - light, temperature etc. as well as physical controls and environmental gradients. Chapter four returns to ecological themes with an description of those concepts which affect plant and animal distribution: predation, competition and symbiosis. If these two chapters highlight the environmental constraints for organisms, the next chapter looks at disturbances to this pattern in terms of fires, floods and wind. We leave this section with a longer chapter describing the key global biomes and the way they have been classified. Always a difficult concept because of the amount one could include, this chapter is an excellent summary and one of the best in the text. If section one dealt with the way in which organisms are distributed today then section two looks at how they got into this situation. This starts with a geological view of continental and climate change. The next two chapters focus on changes. Chapter eight does so through the consideration of dispersal and invasion whilst chapter nine examines the basics of evolution and extinction. Chapter ten takes this information and uses it to explain the various biogeographic realms. There is also a description of modern realms. The final two chapters in this section take a different path by looking at human evolution and its impact upon biogeography. There has been much said about human impact (which is the focus of chapter 12 as well) but there is less about ancient changes alongside the development of Homo sapiens. Part three looks at the theory and practice of biogeography. Chapter 13 is an examination of the ways in which species can be mapped as well as some outlines of the theories put forward. Chapter 14 is concerned with the geographical spread of biodiversity. The final chapter describes how biogeography could affect conservation.

Overall, there is much to recommend this book. It covers all the basics in biogeography but it also deals with a good portion of slightly peripheral material. This makes it a well-rounded approach that would be favoured by people coming from related disciplines. The inclusion of human development and methodology is particularly welcome and even the brief outline of the interactions between Wallace and Darwin make the subject far more realistic and believable. The result of this approach is a book which combines depth and breadth. There is enough depth together with the references to keep the advanced reader going whilst the breadth is helped along with subjects that are completely valid for the study but which, in other texts, would be left out. Examples are drawn from around the world so the fact that this is a North American text in no way detracts from its utility elsewhere. The only minor drawback is the wordiness which some beginners might fel is daunting. However, these are not serious issues when viewed against the usefulness of the text overall. This makes a valuable addition to the school or College library.

Anil Markandya and Kristen Halsnaes (eds). Climate Change and Sustainable Development. Earthscan. ISBN: 1 85383 910 8

The early debate about the nature of global warming has long given way to an increasingly sophisticated series of research programmes into more complex and detailed areas. The question has turned from 'does global warming exist?' to 'how do we cope with it?'. This latter question can elicit some simple and obvious answers and yet, as our understanding not just of global warming but what it needs to combat it becomes ever more detailed so we find that the simple questions might, in the long run, prove to be the most difficult. Take the message this texts explores - 'let's help combat greenhouse gas emissions in developing nations'. There are the obvious ideas like cutting down pollution (or not cutting down trees!) but at the local level it might well come down to a question of social interactions. If the question was only about global warming then it might be possible to get a solution. However, if we now add the notion of sustainable development the issue becomes more complex. In some ways it's similar to arguments a few years ago about illegal wildlife poaching. Many ideas about combatting such trade seemed to ignore the point that it was often done for personal survival rather than gain great profit. We have moved beyond such simple analyses in the wildlife trade. Now we need to see how we can make similar gains in respect to global warming. The issue here is even more complex because we are dealing with an invisible substance set over several generations.

The aim of this text is to explore the links between global warming and sustainable development to see the problems that arise and to suggest some ways forward. The fact that this is a relatively new field of study shows how far we need to go before we can be confident of finding answers. The opening chapter highlights some of the current difficulties - not least the fact that much effort is directed to environmental policy effects and little to local social policy outcomes. It is clear that we are not going to find a simple answer. This is reinforced in chapter two which looks at the literature on sustainable development and global warming focussing on the more conceptual aspects. This is necessary partly because of the need to provide a framework for the new subject but also to help provide a structure for further research. A similar review is continued in chapter three where the focus is more on the way in which reduction of global warming has already looked at impacts on sustainable development. Chapter four starts the major focus of the text by outlining ideas of social capital and how it can be measured. The idea is developed that success in both global warming reduction and sustainable development will only come if people's needs and efforts are given sufficient weight (taken usually to mean financial aspects). Elsewhere the text notes India's low per-capita but overall high rate of greenhouse gas emission and this is really what we see being studied here. How can we expect India to reduce any pollution when this will tend to depress an already delicate socio-economic situation? By now the reader begins to see the connection between development and pollution. Chapter five takes this one stage further by asking how sustainable development can be integrated with climate change mitigation. Once this is done we should try to integrate equity into the system. There is an obvious sense justice in this but it must also seem the most difficult: how do we factor in future generations when we don't even know what their concepts and limits might be? The final two chapters look at case studies where some attempts have already been made to address these problems. Chapter seven looks at the costs and benefits (social, economic and environmental) of some greenhouse gas reduction schemes whilst chapter eight examines results using different methodologies to gauge benefits.

This is a technical work on one of the many emerging subsets of global warming research. By tackling the issue of people, equity and sustainable development it looks at some of the most difficult questions facing us. The result of this provides us with an insight into what has happened and where we might need to go. An excellent overview for those wishing to look at social justice issues is a more detailed framework.

Peter Marren. Nature Conservation. HarperCollins. ISBN: 0 00 711306 4

As has been said before on this site, when Environmental Studies was set up as an 'A' level course there were very few texts around. One series was able to be adapted - the Collin's New Naturalist Series. It was designed to be a guide to the lay person interested in the countryside rather than for education. However, it soon outstripped its original aim partly because they managed to find so many leading academics and fine writers that the books became classics. Many schools had a complete or near complete collection. Their focus was to be part informative and part argumentative: authors were people with knowledge and passion. Sadly, the series faded just as the great interest in descriptive natural history which started in the 1950s in the UK was overtaken by the far more rigorous science of ecology.

Many readers will be delighted to see the series resurrected with Marren's Nature Conservation being the third to be produced. It's aim is to produce a historical guide to nature conservation in the UK. However, being written by someone deeply involved in the process it becomes more than a dry guide and more of an active discussion about the whole process. To this extent it is a parallel text to Sheail's 1998 official text Nature Conservation in Britain which was concerned more about the events than their significance. The introduction takes us back to 1969 when the first New Naturalists book on nature conservation was written by Sir Dudley Stamp. It describes the unique problems facing nature conservation in the UK and how effective it has been/could be. As such, it sets the scene for the work to follow. From here, the book is divided into parts. Chapter two to four cover the people involved from official agencies (two) to volunteers (three) and conservation politics (four). It is clear that this is not just a history but a critical overview. The changes within the Nature Conservancy are subjected to the critique of one who was there to be affected by them. Many of the groups have a separate description and so this part is much more a gathering of key actor data. By the time we get to the end we have a very good idea not only of the actors but the tensions surrounding them. Part two contains four chapters dealing with wildlife habitats. Chapter five looks at nature reserves in theory and practice. It's not just a question of scale but also of control and organisation. Should we be species- or habitat-oriented? Chapter six provides an equally lively look at farming environments. There's something for everyone here from an comment on why 'improvements' may be anything but and if organic farming actually helps the environment. This same critical eye is turned, in chapter six, towards forest and woodlands and towards urban and marine areas in eight. This last combination might seem unusual but it does have a link with the difficulty of conserving species or habitats in either. Part three takes a less conventional line by looking at the ways in which wildlife can lose out. Chapter nine looks at the major planning issues in terms of their wildlife potential. All of these issues from the Newbury bypass to Cardiff Bay were major news stories in their day and we get a chance to look back at what they achieved. Since nature conservation is often taken as being a 'good thing' its almost as if there should be no debate about it. This is firmly rejected by Marren who starts chapter 10 by looking at wildlife that interacts with human needs and land uses. Should all wildlife be conserved and if so, how and where? It's issues like these that make the conservation counter-argument such a strong case - we need a very strong critical rationale for what we are doing to wildlife. Happily, chapter 11 moves into biodiversity. After discussing the range of ideas, Marren ends with a controversial examination of whether 'naturalness' in wildlife matters. Chapter 12 takes a theme common elsewhere - invasions by foreign species and wonders how they are coping. The final chapter is both a look back and a consideration of how we might move forward.

This is an excellent text. Its wordiness is tempered with a good range of photographs (including a colour photographs). The knowledge of the subject matter is obvious as are the views on the directions for nature conservation. It is very well written and lively showing that this new series has the potential to rival its earlier cousin. There is a good balance of theory and practice to make sure that everybody is covered. Simply, this is a first-rate text and a must-buy for any library and educator.

G Tyler Miller Jr. Essentials of Ecology. Brookscole. ISBN: 0 534 39312 8

As ecology spreads into related disciplines and we get more students without a science core so it becomes increasingly important to have a range of texts to deal with this situation. On the one hand we can be pleased that ecology is becoming so central in a range of curricula: on the other hand, we need to be certain that the information is as correct as possible and is sufficient to meet the demands being placed on it (e.g. global warming is a real problem in this regard). Here we have one of Miller's latest offerings (a cut-down version of one of the longer texts) which joins three other texts and a detailed website (worth a visit in its own right).

The book is divided into three parts, the first of which acts as an overview. Chapter one deals with environmental issues. It covers a ranges of issues and ideas giving the reader some notion of the role that can be played by ecology. It also has a series of text boxes highlighting some specific point (such as actors in environmental issues, population growth etc.), guest essays and a series of critical thinking questions. The chapter ends with review questions, more critical thinking exercises, projects and websites. Chapter two focusses on environmental history. Being an US text the whole chapter is devoted to US environmental history. Although not an obvious choice for those outside North America it does give a good background commentary on the environmental movement (which has affected all nations) and references to globally-important characters such as Carson, Hardin and Leopold. Part two, the majority of the book, looks at core ecology concepts. Chapter three is very much a basic science course looking at matter and energy but also about the nature of environmental science and systems models. Chapter four looks at ecosystems starting with a few key definitions and moving on to energy flow, food webs and nutrient cycling. Chapter five examines biodiversity from the angle of evolution and adaptation showing how conditions changing will alter species reactions. This is followed by a chapter dealing with biogeography. It starts with an overview of the physical factors which control organism location and continues with a brief overview on a range of biomes. Chapter seven repeats much of this information but with regards only to aquatic systems. From a description of basic systems, the work then turns to community ecology. This turns on the role of species in an ecosystem - native, non-native, indicator or keystone species. An interesting division, this forces the reader to look more at the function of the organism rather than the name. It also takes a highly pragmatic line given the disturbance of most ecosystems today. Chapter nine continues the trend in this text of linked a series of related topics - in this case population dynamics, carrying capacity and conservation. This is a useful idea. It allows the author to mention a considerable range of ideas within a limited space but it also gives the reader a chance to see theory in practice. The last chapter in this section takes a completely different turn by looking at geology. It divides roughly into two: geological development/plate tectonics and soils. A final chapter occupies the third part of the book and looks at human populations and the implications resulting. This is a good standard treatment of key population concepts including demographic transition theory. There is a series of appendices for basic chemistry, glossary etc.

Overall, this is an extremely good text. As one might expect from this North American publisher, the quality of presentation is excellent with full-colour images and diagrams making it an engaging book. Virtually all of the basic concepts are mentioned. Given the length of the book it means that space for each item is limited but this works to the book's advantage because it means that there's always something new for the beginner to look at, thus keeping up interest in less-focussed students. There is a tendency for such texts to focus on home ground but, with the exception of chapter two, there is a global spread of cases making this a more universal edition than some that have been produced. Finally, this book is part of a much larger package. The publisher has links to a purpose-built website which has an excellent range of resources. The book is also linked to a broader educational package which focusses on critical thinking. This idea, which seeks to train students in thinking skills, provides cases upon which students can build their communication skills. In all, an impressive package which should be considered seriously by all involved in environmental and ecological education.

Office for National Statistics. Guide to Official Statistics/Annual Abstract of Statistics 2002. TSO. ISBN: 0 11 621161 X/0 11 621473 2

Most of the reviews on this site are designed to highlight a given book. This review (one of a number planned) examines a set of texts on a given theme. With the continued interest in statistical material it is appropriate to start with the main UK statistical agency, the Office for National Statistics. The aim here is to show the range of materials available and some way of accessing them.

In some ways, these two books represent the two traditional ways of finding the right information. The Guide is an irregular series (this one is 2000) designed to show what data are gathered where, by whom and where they can be found. The result is a comprehensive investigation of virtually all government data. Data are divided into 18 themes (see list above). Within this there are three categories of information: sources (who gathered the data); analyses (what they did with it) and products (where can you find it on the library shelves). Take chapter 15, environment, for example. The chapter starts with 'sources' broken down by sub-heading. There are 12 of these covering aspects from air pollution to wildlife. If we look at air quality we are told about the 4 groups that gather the data. For each one we have further refinement in terms of what data are collected and processed. Information is given about collection methods, data availability and a contact person. These 12 sub-headings are then used to describe the data products associated with each aspect. Thus keeping with air pollution as a case, we are told that there are 6 main publications. For each one, there is information on availability, delivery, cost and ISBN etc. If you can't find what you need, an index helps to point you in the right direction. Although this might be daunting to lower secondary students, seniors and above will find this an invaluable reference source. The only caveat here is that data can change before a new edition is printed (so it pays to check and, if sufficiently important, to write to the contact person for the latest data). Given the nature of this volume, if you can't find it here, it probably doesn't exist!

The Annual Abstract is a gathering of small-scale key data usually based on national or regional data sets. Take chapter 13 (environment, water and housing) as an example. The chapter opens with a written explanation of each table, followed by the data sets themselves. What you find then depends very much on the nature of the data. It will be a time series (usually 10 years but can be longer or shorter) but the actual variable will depend the way in which the data are gathered. The advantage of the Annual Abstract is that the data are already chosen to give key information most people want. Data are presented so that most people can understand what is happening, making it ideal for the school. The downside is that it is likely that what you want isn't there. It might be that the data are more specialised (try the Guide for some help on this or read the footnotes to each table which tells where the data originated) or just not collected in the way you want (more common than you think!). Keeping to the 'environment' theme, the Guide notes that the Regional Trends, Social Trends and Digest of Environmental Statistics publications all contain environmental information along with a host of minor books. Given the nature of the data the Annual Abstract is a 'must-buy' for the library.

Of course, you might want data newer and faster than this service (print publications are often 4-5 years behind data gathering) or you might not need/be able to afford all these publications. So what do you do? Two options emerge here. Firstly, statistical information is available for use at StatBase®. This contains a considerable collection of data which are available online. The main menu gives a range of options: Datasets and Time series data being the most obviously useful but there are also sets from publications like Regional Trends. In addition there is a range of associated services such as a search facility, software (some of the data need special free software) and reference material. As with most large on-line datasets, it takes time and a certain amount of skill to access the right material but it is worth the effort. Checking the 'environment' part of the datasets it was possible to find data from a range of publications from time series to one-off items. As with any statistical publication it is possible that the data you want aren't available but it would need to be fairly specialised given the coverage seen. The only problem was that the time series dataset was restricted to economic data alone. If you have time and a good Internet connection then this might well be the way to go.

The final item reviewed here is a small publication called National Statistics Handbook 2002. This free book is part catalogue, part guide to the statistical service. In its 128 pages there are 19 sections covering a comprehensive range of topics. The first five sections describe the operation of the statistical office and the services it provides. With the exception of the last section which is the index and reference guide (including the website addresses of all major government bodies creating statistics) the remainder cover topics seen in other publications e.g. population, environment etc. Each of these major topic sections contains a list of publications with a wealth of useful data about them such as data coverage, producer, frequency of collection, price and availability on the 'net. In addition to these publications there is a list of other data that covers the topic (although further information for this is available only at the main website).

It is obvious that if we are to do an effective job we need these products. However, it raises the question of which one is useful, where. The Guide is the most comprehensive listing of data and would be a standard addition to any higher education (or town reference) library. Post-graduate researchers would also find this useful especially if the data needed were spread over a range of publications. The Annual Abstract (and its close relatives, Regional Trends and Social Trends) should be standards in school libraries upwards. Given the changing demand for data and the need for IT-literate students there is much to be said for making StatBase® the standard. For the cost of the connection, students can create their own data sets and check through the material available. The only problem is that it takes some training and an idea of what is out there because it's not obvious on the screen and unlike the print versions you can't leaf through the pages. However, this is a small cost for the benefit produced. This leaves the Handbook. Since it is clearly written and gives a very wide range of information there is really no reason why (especially because it's free!) every teacher (or at least department) can't have their own copy. Given this vast range of excellent material there is no excuse for a lack of statistics. Remember, the UK is far better blessed in this area than many other nations - so use the material available!

Tim O'Riordan and Susanne Stoll-Kleeman (eds). Biodiversity, Sustainability and Human Communities. Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 0 521 89052 7

Let's start with the notion that there is a need to protect biodiversity (however it is measured and quantified). This leaves us with two options: to protect specific areas or to protect everything. The former leads to national parks and the like whilst the latter leads to what has been described as a living museum. The former is easier to 'sell' to public and politicians and has a certain feeling of action whilst allowing life to continue as usual outside the walls of the park. If parks are subject to tourism this can lead to degradation of the very area that should be saved: ironically, life outside might stand a better chance. The falseness of this position was recognised at the time of the first UK National Parks but has never really been addressed in a small island with competition for resources. Elsewhere, this can be questioned especially where there are several priorities that need to be investigated. Now, if we ask the initial question again we can broaden our options. Parks and whole landscapes are still viable but we can also get graded conservation, conservation with multiple objectives and the obvious but unwanted 'no conservation' option. The latter can now be dismissed (although it does demand some serious thinking and it could always be argued that any conservation setting land aside is always bound to create problems). The first two options are also limited which leaves us with the third - which is basically the focus of this text.

In the opening, O'Riordan argues that we need to move beyond parks, to bring local people into conservation and to tie this in with other worthy objectives such as sustainability and development. From this point the text is divided into three parts. Chapters two to five examine aspects of the problems and prospects facing biodiversity. For example, in chapter two Lovejoy argues that biodiversity faces a range of threats not least from pathogens and invasive species. This leads Myers, in chapter three, to suggest that what is needed is nothing short of a paradigm shift. Even allowing for the way in which this term is often given a broad interpretation it is clear that the author considers that there is a need for a far more radical approach than that seen at present. The remaining two chapters look at elements of policy-making and inclusiveness. It is fair to say that much of the current management is focussed towards elite power groups which often excludes the people living in the area. Both chapters assert that this is not going to provide the equitable long-term solution which benefits inhabitants and biodiversity. It is clear that a healthy biodiversity is needed to keep such areas sustainable (and who better to know than those with indigenous knowledge?). Such ideas are well in theory but what happens when they meet practice? The seven chapters that make up the next part provide us with some answers and even more questions. All seven examine a case study. The scales, like the areas covered, are diverse. The reader starts with two large-area studies in Europe and the USA. This is followed by a local case study of the Cape Floral Kingdom and a national-scale study of Namibia. From there we go to South and Central America with examples from Brazil and Costa Rica. The advantage of these studies is that they cover a large number of variables: scale, knowledge, finance, political system and ecosystem. Rather than highlight a way forward these cases show the problems that are often encountered and the need for a specific solution to a specific place. It is clear that however worthy the aim it is going to be very difficult to reconcile the various perspectives. The final chapter (and last part) draws together some of the key ideas in the text. Key themes have emerged: advocacy ecology - the idea the scientists need to be more pro-active in protecting species; vulnerability of species and the need for an inclusive and democratic policy-making forum. These are good objectives but, as the book itself acknowledges, they are proving very elusive.

Overall, a thought-provoking text. To appreciate fully the arguments put forward one would need some basic understanding of the topic although there are some very useful reviews of biodiversity and sustainability debates especially in the earlier chapters.

Val Plumwood. Environmental Culture: The Ecological Crisis of Reason. Routledge. ISBN: 0 415 17878 9

Perhaps it is too easy to rush into the latest ecological text to find the latest ideas. In the rush forward we may forget what it is we are actually aiming at. Although critical reflection is not easy it is necessary. The aim of Plumwood's text is not only to get us to reflect on what we are doing but to add a dimension to the other ecological debates about the future of the Earth. Essentially, she is calling for a new social and cultural perspective: a parallel to ecological sustainability, to allow us to develop a more balanced use of the Earth.

Plumwood starts by arguing that what we refer to as economic and scientific 'reason' is more a question of the dominance of a narrow political perspective. In her preface she likens the Earth to the Titanic. If we follow this analogy then the first two chapters point out that our ideas of navigation are faulty. This appears to stem from a separation of people from nature. In using this viewpoint, Plumwood follows a critique of the Judeo-Christian school which allows people (or Man to add another level of critique) ascendancy over Nature. The argument is, however, more complex than that with the notion that emotion and ethics are removed from the scientific equation. Chapter two continues this theme with a look at scientific rationalism. What is needed is to add to this perspective rather than reduce everything to a (falsely) dispassionate notion of science. If we continue with the Titanic analogy then chapters three and four look at the way in which the ship is commanded. Decision-making is in the hands of the most powerful and there is little left for the rest. In this situation, decisions are made for the good of a few and this often leads to ecological destruction. If we follow this line of reasoning then it follows that we should, as Plumwood advocates, move to a far more equitable society - one in which class structure should not play a part. Whether such an egalitarian society is possible is another matter. Chapter five changes direction to consider how we can fail to see the ecological problems that face us. One possible explanation, described here, is that we have a blindspot about our actions. This anthropocentrist attitude is subjected to critical analysis in chapter six. The basic idea here is that we should not reject the notion as deep green thinkers do but use it along with other ideas to create a more open and inclusive agenda. Chapter 7 to 10 look at a range of alternative ideas that we could incorporate into our thinking about a more environmentally balanced future. The aim of this work is to subject our basic assumptions of the way in which we live to a more rigorous examination. For example, chapter 7 examines the extent to which we are bound by Cartesian dualism. Chapter 8 considers how we could examine ethics from an inter-specific context whilst chapters 9 and 10 look at deep ecology and spirituality respectively. The concluding chapter reinforces the view that we need a far wider focus for our ecological concerns than is, at present, the case.

This is not an easy text - nor is it designed to be. It covers a complex area of study with references that few outside this study area may be familiar with. It demands a high level of concentration to understand the many strands that the author has woven together to make her case. Whether one agrees or not is not really the point - it is important that such material be accessed so that the debate is both deepened in its intellectual rigour and broadened in its ecological scope. Ecological/environmental philosophy is not a common field of study but it can be a stimulating one. This text is a valuable addition to that field.

Andrew S Pullin. Conservation Biology. Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 0 521 64482

Initially, conservation efforts were little more than educated guesses. Recently however, the volume of research has grown to such an extent that it can generate the types of generalisations that make useful textbooks. In this case, conservation biology has become a growth area. The majority of texts on this topic focus on the biology side of the title rather than the conservation side leaving one with an applied biology text rather than with something that can be of wider use. This text takes a completely different view by focussing on the basic science of conservation.

The book is divided into three parts; the first acting as an introduction. Chapter one looks at the global diversity of life and its changes through time. The reader is given an overview of extinctions, diversity of species and a short outline of the value of biodiversity. Chapter two is a brief but thorough review of global biomes but with the slightly different emphasis on the divisions between terrestrial, montane and aquatic ecosystems. Part two looks broadly at the way in which human populations have impacted upon the environment. This starts with a review of human population growth, the spread of this population and some of the impacts it has had along the way. This is followed by two chapters linked in their effect on habitats. Chapter four looks at the destruction of areas: changes in the UK Fens, for example and the impact that destruction and fragmentation can have on the biota of the areas. In comparison, chapter five examines the effects that smaller changes can have. Chemical pollution may alter an area sufficiently for species composition to change. Exotic species can decimate some aspects of the local wildlife and diseases can have a similar effect. Today, we have the potential threat of genetically modified organisms to add to this list of changes. These topics are of prime importance to biodiversity in an area: the treatment the subjects are given here is both unusual and helpful (and not often seen in texts). Of course, not all changes are 'by-products' of other actions or events. As chapter six reminds us, one of the key changes to biodiversity is the direct exploitation of a species. This brings us to the third part (actually the majority of the text). The emphasis in this section is the use of biological and ecological principles to create viable wild populations. This starts with a brief overview of the people and events that have helped to shape modern conservation biology. From this point, the reader is led through a logical sequence from choosing an area to conserve to the variety of techniques available. Thus chapter eight looks at the rationale behind finding a suitable area to conserve. Chapter 9 moves on to the design and management stage in terms of both theory and practice (in this case, the semi-natural habitats of Europe). There is also an overview of the ways in which we can monitor change. The next two chapters (10 and 11) look at conservation of species from different perspectives. The former examines in situ conservation: the assessment, management and genetics of small conserved populations. The latter looks at ex-situ conservation. Although this has often been seen as a less suitable situation, seed banks and captive breeding have allowed considerable study of endangered populations and have allowed time for species to become sufficiently established to allow for reintroduction programmes. Alternatively there is species relocation, another technique that can be useful. Chapter 12 turns to broader aspects by considering landscape scale conservation. Here, the reserve is part of a bigger picture (as we see with the UK Natural Areas as an example ). If this chapter looks at the broader spatial scene then chapter 13 takes a longer temporal perspective in outlining conservation from an evolutionary process point of view. This involves the use of genetics, phylogeography and cladistics to ensure that we have taken genetic biodiversity into account during conservation. The final goal would be to repair damaged areas to make them suitable for wildlife. The idea of restoration ecology is the focus of chapter 14. The final chapter examines the prospects and problems for putting conservation on a surer footing.

This is a very readable text taking an unusual route through the notion of conservation ecology. Chapters are very well illustrated. To follow work there are summaries, discussion points, a few key references and a select few websites. The approach is sufficiently global that one can see the application of ideas in a wider perspective and sufficiently Eurocentric to allow it to be used as a key course text. Given the range of material and the focus on applied science, this text is one of the best recent introductions to the subject.

Charlie Pye-Smith. The Subsidy Scandal. Earthscan. ISBN: 1 85383 902 7

The growth of books dealing with aspects of ecological and environmental concern has become so great that we often fail to see the type of text that started the ball rolling. The earliest modern text in this genre would be Carson's 'Silent Spring'. This was followed by a range of similar exposés. Since that time there have been fewer examples dealing with pure issues. The value of such texts is that they tell a story about an issue, or range of issues in such a way that people can see what is happening with the assumption, by the author at least, that there is something wrong about this action.

Pye-Smith takes this as the starting point for his work on subsidies in the USA. Through a series of case studies we are introduced to a range of people and ideas. At the heart of each example is a subsidy, or group of subsidies, that is causing some sort of problem. Most of these could be considered environmental problems but we also read about disruption to communities, small-scale producers and the like. Perhaps this could be considered a text about subsidies versus sustainability. The chapter titles give an indication of the examples. The range goes from forestry to roads and fish to cattle. In each example we are shown the effects of subsidies. In chapter one the subsidy is the price loggers pay for logging on public service land. Chapter two looks at the prices paid to farmers for meat compared to the profits made by a small number of meat packers. Chapter three examines the way in which US politics supports a few sugar growers in Florida by whose actions we see the loss of wetlands and the keeping out of the US market of Caribbean producers. The next case concerned a dam in California. Here, the project was supported by those making money out of it and opposed by those whose land (and/or taxes) would be lost in the scheme. Eventually, the scheme was dropped but it gave Pye-Smith a chance to broaden his perspective and compare water policy in the EU. You might think that wildlife would be supported but the problem with some reintroduction is that somebody needs to lose for the wildlife to 'win'. Naturally, this is getting less support than a straightforward nature reserve. It also brings into question the aims of reintroduction as against other schemes that could be used to benefit wildlife. Chapter six moves North to Canada but still considers the changes in Cod stocks following changes to Canadian and US fishing policy. Roads, mines and energy take up the final three chapters each with a similar story of problems caused by subsidy. In a final chapter the author takes stock of the examples he has written about and where we might go from here.

Although not directly of concern to UK groups, this is a very useful text. It shows the ways in which a major nation can work to makes things worse rather than better. It shows how well-meaning people can create more problems than they solve. Finally, it shows the great range of actors that get involved in these issues making the situation far more complex that it might initially be thought to be. Using this as a template one could trace similar cases in many nations (as Pye-Smith shows us in his few asides outside the US). By highlighting the complexities it demonstrates the difficulty of reaching 'good' environmental solutions and causes us to question the ways we do business.

Gerry P Quinn and Michael J Keough. Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Biologists. Cambridge University Press.ISBN: 0 521 00976 6

Data analysis is one of the most important aspects of ecological education. Unfortunately, this element is increasing at the time when fieldwork (and thus the gathering of data for analysis) is declining in schools leaving universities with less well-trained students. What is needed is a text which assumes education and some basic mathematical competency but which then fills in the gap. It is this market that this text seeks to target.

The introduction starts at the absolute beginning with a review of the scientific method and the role of experiments in it. A brief overview of modern scientific philosophy adds a useful element often missing in similar texts. The overall effect is to place experiments and analysis in their correct contexts in biology. The remainder of the text is given over to a range of common methodologies. The aim is not to produce a step-by-step guide to each technique (as the authors point out, there are enough of those already) but to describe enough of the technique to see its correct place in analysis. By 'correct', it is clear that the authors mean the right test, properly applied in the right circumstances with an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the tests. To assist in the application of the correct test there are a series of worked cases taken from actual research work and papers with a website where data can be downloaded for use in standard statistical packages. From this framework all that is needed is for a range of ideas to be explored. Chapter two looks at the common ideas of estimation with means, standard errors etc. as well as Bayesian inference. This is followed by hypothesis testing with the one- and two- tailed tests and their variants. Chapter four shows one of the strengths of the text in looking at graphing data. Too often this is seen as a simple exercise but, as the authors show, there is much that can be gained from the correct display of results. The next two chapters discuss simple and complex methods of correlation and regression leaving chapter seven to change tack again. Here, the emphasis is on design and sample size and the way we can produce cost-effective results. With the exception of the final three chapters, the remainder of the work examines a range of analyses of variance from ANOVA to MANOVA. The importance of these to biology is highlighted by the amount of work discussed. More than other parts of the text these aspects require a good understanding of basic mathematics and statistics. Chapters 17 and 18 consider principal components and multidimensional scaling respectively. The final chapter is a (too-brief) look at the most crucial element, the presentation of the results to the reader/audience.

Whereas there is no doubt that this is an advanced text aimed at senior undergraduates there is much in it that can be used at lower levels. Many of the discussions are based not on the mathematics but on the choice of technique. Some chapters such as the introduction and those on graphs, design and presentation would be useful guides to senior school students with guidance. For its main audience this is a clearly written text with a simple no-nonsense approach to the topic.

John D Reynolds, Georgina M Mace, Kent H Redford and John G Robinson. Conservation of Exploited Species. Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 0 521 78733 5

Conservation is relatively simple if the species is of little or no commercial value. If it is commercially viable then it may well not be vulnerable (leaving aside arguments over fish species etc.). What happens if the two meet i.e. how do you conserve a threatened species? This issue came very visibly to the fore a few years ago with questions of indigenous people hunting traditional food sources like whale and seal. One answer would be to apply conservation ideals to all species but even the most optimistic would see this as unrealistic.

What is needed is an approach which looks at conservation of biodiversity on the one hand and the various user-groups on the other (which this books seeks to do). Part one acts as an overview by putting firmly the idea of exploitation as one part of the conservation issue. Clearly we are not dealing with a few endangered species but with an entire perspective of conservation-as-resource-strategy. This opening chapter is followed by one which asks whether we can actually have sustainable exploitation. The following parts take this as their lead and examine various areas of conservation ecology. Part two, for example, looks at the various population methodologies employed in assessing numbers and, thus, resource limits. The key idea of maximum sustainable yield is critiqued along with the problems of fluctuating populations. One chapter, dealing with the notions of uncertainty (i.e. chaotic reactions), provides a useful insight. This whole perspective of unpredictability is coming more into mainstream writing and this should be encouraged. If we are going to base our resource usage on some data we must know how reliable it is going to be.

Of course, all of this would be useful if all species reacted in the same way. Clearly this is far from the case, even in the same habitat for similar species (and that's before we even consider intraspecific variation!). Part three examines some the issues using a broad range of species and areas. Cases are taken from fish, mammals, birds and plants with areas from Africa, tropics and globally. Part four turns to individual and community reactions to exploitation. Behaviour is a major factor in exploitation patterns and species recovery. Although a recent addition to ecological research it has grown rapidly and we are beginning to see the benefits of this work. Life histories are also important because of their link to reproductive patterns. Next, we have to consider the question of the genetic impact of exploitation. Are certain genotypes/phenotypes affected by exploitation? Do we end up with a different population structure as a result? A final chapter in this section comparing plant and animal conservation draws some interesting parallels. Part five looks at the relationship from the human perspective. Despite all biological considerations, conservation comes down to human action (or inaction). Unless we address this issue then we are basically wasting our time as these case studies show. Kangaroo culling is a major conservation and hunting issue in Australia and the complexity of the issue is brought out well. Other cases include Caribou, Tanzanian wildlife and an excellent chapter on politics. Part six comprises a single chapter which summarises the main arguments in the text.

This is a very useful text which is well-written and stimulating. Its wide-ranging studies ensure that all interests are catered for. The focus it gives to the human side of human-nature interactions in conservation biology is to be welcomed. Too many students see conservation as just a matter of getting the biology right. As this text graphically demonstrates, biology is almost the last thing in the list. Although best for undergraduate studies the book has a wealth of examples that can be used to great effect by teachers.

Adam Rome. The Bulldozer in the Countryside. Cambridge University Press.

Subtitled "suburban sprawl and the rise of American environmentalism", this books tells the story of urban spread in America between 1945 and 1970. The dates are nor entirely random. 1945 signals the end of the war and the need for a new housing strategy. 1970, a more arbitrary choice, is the one given as the end in post-war housing needs and the rise of increasing political interest in housing.

The premise of the book is straightforward enough: to link the increasing development of America with the rise in environmental awareness and action. At first, the two might seem a simple task since the rise of large areas of housing causes obvious damage and the increase in this damage would give rise to protests about it. However, there is no causal link here and there have been other interpretations of both suburban growth and the growth of the environmental protest movements in the US. The book is set out much like a history with chapters in approximate chronological order. After an introductory chapter, the main story opens with a look at early success stories - Levittown. The original idea was simple enough - to build houses rapidly enough to cope with post-war demands. This was no different to London and the SE England with the exception that much of the UK housing was local authority whilst the US experience was almost all private. William Levitt was a builder who recognised that the demand was for mass-produced, low-cost housing and set about providing it. This, in turn, led to demand for household goods etc. and the American economy started to revive. As chapter two demonstrates, electricity was one of the key areas. Unfortunately, low-cost housing does not have the in-built passive energy features that make for low energy consumption. Thus along with rising housing stock we see a rise in energy demand for heating and cooling. If electricity allowed ease of building beyond the reaches of the city then septic tanks (chapter three) meant that housing no longer had to be tied in to municipal sewerage lines. Just like electricity this cheaper option came at a price which included landslides, collapses and groundwater contamination. This led to some environmental concern but it was the battle for open space (chapter four) that really seemed to start the movement. In the 1960s people were being alerted to environmental problems such as pesticide use through Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. If this is coupled with Ehrlich's books on population then the American public are beginning to see that the home-owing dream also has a few nightmare qualities. To mass-produce homes you need a uniform site and here the bulldozer can create a flat treeless landscape for housing to be placed upon. That this might remain a treeless area for years afterwards is not, initially, given any thought. At the same time there was disquiet about what is being built there is also concern about where it should not be built, which is the focus of chapter five. By the late 1960s the public concern became so great that the government set up enquiries to examine the changes and see what needed to be done. Perhaps it was this, more than anything else, that finally slowed down the housing sprawl. Chapter 7 looks at the new land-use regulations of the 1970s which demanded much more control of the way urban development took place.

This is an interesting perspective. The use of an older timeframe means that material and analysis can be viewed with the value of hindsight. The rise of the environmental movement is linked to the rise in development but the relationship is not simple (and there are a range of issues beyond housing that had stirred for environmental concern for over 50 years previously). The book is useful on a number of levels. For undergraduates in a range of fields this provides a good case study. For school students there is the chance to see examples from other areas that can be used usefully to compare our own experiences.

Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Handbook of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Earthscan. ISBN: 1 85383 737 7

Of the many items that came out of the Rio Summit in 1992, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has the potential to be one of the most significant. Whilst there have been a number of books analysing the Summit and its impact there have been far fewer pointing out what was actually said and agreed. Further, matters did not stop at Rio: there have been many meetings and decisions since that time e.g. the Kyoto Protocol. There comes a time when it is necessary to put the myriad writings about post-Rio topics into an accessible form. With this handbook we have the text and subsequent decisions about the CBD. The opening two chapters are the texts of the CBD and Cartegena Protocol. This is followed by three chapters defining the way in which the various CBD committees are to work. Chapter 6 provides a way behind the text of the CBD by showing how the various areas are linked and what specific elements are required. Chapters 7 and 8 are tables showing who signed up for what, when with chapter 9 as the final CBD text. The final chapter gives details of all the decisions that have been made by the various meetings (usually called Conferences of Parties or COP for short). The CD Rom is an Adobe .pdf file of the text. As such it has some limited search facilities although it seems to work best with less common words and phrases (surprisingly, 'ecological education' failed to score but 'education' had numerous examples - this suggests care needs to be taken in using the facility).

There is nothing surprising about this text - it does, efficiently, what is says it is going to. So, what use can we make of it? Firstly, as an official document it will be an invaluable aid to researchers and academics in this area. It also makes fascinating reading for those who wish to see what is written and the language used. UN-speak is almost an art-form in its own right and this is a prime example. For teachers there is value in using this text as an example of what is being done and to show how the words of the CBD actually translate into action (or inaction in cases).

Hermann Scheer. The Solar Economy. Earthscan. ISBN: 1 85383 835 7

As this review is being written the world's nations are meeting in Johannesburg under the aegis of the United Nations to attempt to find some way of reducing pressing environmental problems of which energy supply (and the concomitant effect of global warming) is just one. Whilst the outcome is unknown there is still the case to be put for renewable resources of which solar energy would appear one of the better options. The aim of this text is to put the case for solar energy: it is a critique of conventional fossil fuel supply and an advocate for its replacement (in whole or in part) with solar power.

The book starts, not with an introduction but with a scenario. It sets the tone of the book and outlines the author's position on the subject. Seven propositions are put forward which define the current situation and its shortcomings and suggest a (solar) way forward. Chapter one looks at the fuel supply chain. Globalisation is lengthening this chain and decreasing energy efficiency whilst at the same time allowing the energy companies to become ever more powerful. Chapter two takes the opposite case and looks at the solar supply chain. Here we have a more dispersed but local source with a short supply chain and greater overall efficiency. The next three chapters are grouped together under the subtitle of 'the pathological politics of fossil resources'. The basic idea here is that people overlook the problems of fossil fuels because it has been assumed that there is no alternative. Chapter three describes the way in which fossil fuel supply and demand has created inequalities; inequalities that could lead to conflict. This theme is carried into chapter four which examines the supply chain and its effect on urban development. Chapter five takes a different perspective by arguing that energy data is part of a myth. Data are inadequate and fail to provide us with ways of alternative views. The next three chapters look at a solar alternative. These are essentially a counterpoint to the views on fossil fuels put forward in chapters 3-5. Thus chapter 6 examines the ways in which power could be produced at a local scale without the grid system (and its subsequent inefficiencies). Part of the energy problem could be reduced by removing the need for 'standby' power systems and part by using new technologies such as wireless transmission and a range of indirect solar methodologies. This is followed by an examination of the range of solar options that have yet to be fully researched - many focussed on the potential of biomass. If this is to be accepted then it follows that the economics of the situation must be favourable. Finally, we have three chapters which look towards a possible solar economy. Chapter 9 deals with the economics of the situation. Although we must confront the technological implications of solar power it is often through the economics that it is attacked. Noting this, Scheer puts forward what he sees as the ways through which solar power could be viable. This leads to the next chapter which argues that a solar power would be a regional one (since transmission costs would need to be minimised and solar is a dispersed energy form). Again, this is contrary to the centralisation of fossil fuels (and would also be counter to globalisation as it is currently perceived). Finally, Scheer links the solar future to a new social one.

This is a most interesting text. It is clearly not an analysis of solar power nor a conventional examination of possible energy futures. It is a book which believes wholeheartedly that solar power is the only way forward. For those want broader perspectives then there are other books to chose from. What we are presented with here is an eloquent statement of a possible future. Such a view gives us ample opportunity to explore what is being said and as a teaching exercise (from an example of good writing - which it is - through to resource economics) it has a great deal to recommend it.

I G Simmons. An Environmental History of Great Britain. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN: 0 7486 1283 1

It is one thing to appreciate ecological theory and another to appreciate human history but, of course, the crucial questions can only be answered when the two are brought together. Considering the importance of human-environment interactions there have been few basic, general texts on the subject. The aim of this work is to provide such an overview.

One of the most important items is to select suitable divisions of the timescale. The divisions chosen by this author mirror closely key changes in resource usage and consumption - hunter, agriculturalist, industrialist, post-industrialist. There is no real argument with such a division in the British context: it follows standard works in archaeology and history and is readily appreciated. We start with an introductory chapter which provides us with a broad overview. The background to the Holocene through the Ice Ages is linked with cultural development. In later times this becomes the interaction of politics and Nature. There is a broad appreciation of changes in energy sources and consumption, population levels and human impact on selected environmental systems at a variety of scales. Chapter two starts the review proper with the Hunter-gatherer societies up to 5500BP. There is a good overview of the post-glacial changes to the natural landscape but slightly less on human impact. Chapter three moves into early agriculture from Neolithic to early Saxon. Here the situation is reversed with a useful summary of human activity set against an outline of key environmental changes. By chapter four we have moved into pre-industrial agriculture covering the years from early Saxon to the midst of the Agrarian revolution. This is an excellent overview of the key aspects of changes in land use but more on climate changes so crucial for Medieval monastic expansion would have been useful. Chapter five focusses on the C18th. with an all-round overview of the main changes in this period. By 1800, the industrial part of the economy was developing and so chapter 6 covers this time up to 1914. It is a crucial part of our environmental history and gets a thorough overview in terms of resource patterns, uses and consumption. By now we have leisure time impacting upon the countryside as well as rapid urbanisation. To this we need to add international links, the rise of science ('ecology' as a word being coined in this era) and human concerns about nature. By now we are barely at the halfway stage of the book and so we expect increasing detail for the next 80 years. The first part, up to 1950, is the subject of chapter 7. The rise in transport, agribusiness and urban development is set against the wealth of ideas flowing from wartime committees such as Reith, Scott, Dower and Hobhouse. The last 50 years form the basis of the penultimate chapter. The same ideas of land systems and human impact that have been seen in the other chapters is utilised here but in greater detail. Unlike previous eras we now need to deal with widespread pollution, conservation and development pressures. A final chapter seeks to highlight the most formative ideas and changes in our relationship with the British environment. An excellent series of aerial photographs in an Appendix show key landscape elements.

To produce a concise text on such a broad subject was always going to be a challenge. In providing a thoroughly readable account the author has had to omit a number of aspects that one might wish to have seen. This reduces the value of the text in an academic sense but the overall impression is of a good story which should keep readers' attentions and allow them to appreciate the wealth of changes (both natural and human) that this small island area has had to face.

UNEP. Global Environment Outlook 3. Earthscan. ISBN: 1 85383 845 4

GEO3 is part of an irregular series of global datasets produced under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme. The previous reports (GEO2, published in 2000 and GEO1 - best seen at its website was published in 1997) were part of a series aimed at highlighting trends in environmental analysis since the first, key UN meeting at Stockholm in 1972. Thus GEO1 represented the 25 year analysis and GEO2 was the new millennium: GEO3 is designed to support the forthcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in August/September 2002. Thus we see here a directed compendium of data rather than one of the more standard reference texts such as WRIs World Resources Series. This is not to say that the data are any less accurate. In fact one of the key features of the GEO series and of the work of UNEP is the use of collaborative centres to gather data from a range of agencies. this means that this report might be produced with UNEP in the title but there are no fewer 37 international agencies and centres involved.

The aim of this text is to support the work of the World Summit. To do this it takes the unusual perspective of including both collected data and future trends from a range of scenarios. Other reports have attempted this but GEO3 is one of the first to use this two-fold view as a major platform for the work. Its other key focus is to use regional- as well as topic-based approaches to analysis. As with most global reports we start with a fairly lengthy introduction. The aims and methods of the project are outlined and a synthesis of the report is given. A series of maps highlights the regions mentioned in the text and the nations from which they are composed. Chapter one starts the review proper with an overview of the development of environmentalism since 1972. A time line through this chapter notes a range of key events (meetings, disasters, publications, events etc.) seen as important to the environmental debate. The declaration of the Stockholm Conference is given as are sidebars outlining the birth of the UNEP and similar bodies. Ideas, data and events are all mixed to create an impression of the number of changes made during that time. The net result is an excellent review of the main ideas, groups and features of the time. Chapter two is the report on the last 30 years divided by both topic and region. The complexity of this process can be easily seen by the fact that this chapter is over two-thirds of the entire book! The process might seem complex but the layout makes it simple. The first part of the chapter accepts that socio-economics colours peoples' responses to environmental issues. An analysis of this is the first topic. From this the report is divided by areas of environmental concern into eight topics - land, forests, biodiversity, freshwater, coastal and marine, atmosphere, urban areas and disasters. Each topic has its own sub-chapter. A global overview is provided first. This outlines the main trends and key concerns in the topic. Thus in 'land' the global overview outlines issues in agriculture, land degradation, desertification, climate change and settlements. These issues are then replayed but through the regional perspective of: Africa, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Latin America/Caribbean, North America, West Asia and Polar Regions. This means that the global aspects of the topic can be explained but that at the same time there is the understanding that not all regions are affected equally or by the same items. Each element of this part of the report is supported by a wide range of data, graphs, diagrams and photographs. Chapter three looks at the ways we can cope with change. The emphasis is on vulnerability rather than risk assessment and the chapter looks at the key ideas of what constitutes vulnerability and vulnerable places, how it affects us and how we can deal with it. Chapter four is the second key part of the report: the analysis of scenarios to produce 30-year forecasts. Rather than rely on the more usual data-based scenario, the report focusses on the descriptive, qualitative scenario backed by data. This might lack the rigour of the numerical version but it can broaden the debate and stimulate discussion. GEO3 uses four scenarios called: markets first (a market-driven approach); policy first (strong national government approach); security first (conflict approach) and sustainability (an equity approach). Although the choice of these scenarios is open to discussion at least each has been either tried or mooted so there is little surprise. The chapter starts with an overview of the key forces which could shape our directions. This is followed by a section describing events under each of the four scenarios. The next section 'environmental implications' takes a fairly complex path. It describes implications first by region and then by topic (linking with chapter two) and finally by each of the four scenarios. Given that one of the key ideas behind the report is that regions differ it makes sense to look at scenarios in a similar way. It also gives ideal case-study coverage. A final, brief section outlines some of the key lessons that can be learnt from our use of the scenarios. The text is accompanied by a CD Rom which expands upon the data mentioned in the book. In addition to a copy of the book in Adobe's .pdf format there are datasets (with options to download as Excel Files) which cover the material in the text plus additional material in the same area but covering a wider range. There are also files linking to external sites of which one of most useful would seem to be the UNEP GEO Dataset site where you can produce a range of data and have it presented as map, graph or data. The CD contains a great deal of information including masses of diagrams, images etc. but these have to be found by trial and error. Sadly, the interface with this CD is not very user-friendly and so some personal searching is needed.

Overall, this is an excellent text. It has coverage of all the key areas of concern. The quality of production, range of examples and accessible style mean that it can reach a very wide audience. It is unlikely that a more important set of ideas will be published this year. It must be seen as a necessity for the institution and personal library.

Charles Warren. Managing Scotland's Environment. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN: 0 7486 1313 7

There has been a great deal written about the British environment and about parts of it e.g. Wales, England that it comes as a shock to find that no such overview readily exists covering Scotland. Initially, this was put down to an oversight on the part of the reviewer ('must have missed something!') but, as the author says in the preface, there is very little in accessible form (although there is a vast amount on any given topic but this fails to produce the holistic overview that one wants).

This text presents the reader with an overview of the development of Scotland' environment, its management, recent developments and current issues thus dividing the book into 5 parts. the first part deals with the nature of Scotland and its control. Chapter one provides a very brief introduction to Scotland starting with climate, continuing with human impacts and concluding with management in both practice and theory. The aim here is just to set the scene for the following work. Chapter two examines the political and planning arrangements for Scotland including the impact of the EU and past and present UK action. Having gained some insight into the system we are led into part two which contains the bulk of the book and is used to describe various elements of the Scottish environment. Given the history of Scotland it is not surprising that land ownership is the first topic. It is not just a question of history but as much a real practical point in terms of how the areas should be managed. Chapter four looks at trees. Scotland is the largest of the UK regions for forests with over 50% of our wooded area. Most of this is in the form of recent exotic plantings with only a small area of native forests. This has implications for ecology as well as forestry and the use of forestry products. There is also the issue of access to consider given the tourist value of many of these woodlands. This is followed by a chapter dealing with farming. As with other chapters, there is an overview of the current scene and its historical development and there is also discussion regarding current issues and debates and about the range of management options available (including the use of EU sensitive areas policy). Like Wales, Scotland has a good water supply that has an increasing number of demands placed on it. Water, fish, power , and tourism are the main issues discussed but this is also set in the context of EU directives. Because water is such a vital commodity, this chapter notes a huge range of current management issues from water quality to tourism and conservation. Scotland's wildlife is more than deer and grouse yet these have dominated landscape development. In so doing they have made a pattern that needs to be addressed in any future management plan. Of course, it would also be possible to let the area revert to a 'natural' woodland cover as some advocate. Chapter eight tackles the difficult issue of 'natural'. The focus of the chapter is the rise of the conservation movement and land designation (e.g. National Nature Reserves) of natural resources but the title also poses a useful question especially in the light of the debate about wildlife in the preceding chapter. Part three, subtitled 'interactions and controversies' takes the background gained in part two and applies it to the modern management questions and debates in Scotland. Just as in England, access is seen as a key issue (chapter nine). Like the Kinder Scout trespass, there have been debates over the rights of access as against ownership. This is not just a question of enjoying the countryside but of dealing with the damage and interference with land use that often accompanies it. Chapter ten addresses the issue of wildlife. What should we do with recent introductions and should we reintroduce lost species such as the wolf? If you are going to reintroduce then how far back should you go and what rights have existing users (both animal and human?). Chapter 11 considers the options for multi-purpose land use such as mixing deer with forestry and farming. Given changes in income this may be one option for the viability of the countryside. Chapter 12 takes a different perspective from the rest of the text - it looks at areas and not issues. We are presented with a two case studies: the Cairngorms and superquarries in an attempt to show the complexity of the interactions (as well as the potential rights and wrongs of development etc.). Part four turns in another direction to consider the elements of ethics and decision-making providing a range of ideas that need to be addressed with any management plan. The final part (and chapter) looks at the way management is and could be pursued.

This is an excellent introduction to the topic. There has been little published of similar quality on any area let alone Scotland. Although aimed at the undergraduate (with some focus into professional areas) it is well written and would be understood easily by a senior school student. Given the interest in Scotland and the quality of coverage in the text it deserves the widest readership.

JR Warren and A French. Habitat Conservation: Managing the Physical Environment. Wiley. ISBN: 0 471 98499 X

This book is interesting in two ways. Firstly, it makes the fourth volume of a series started in 1974 with Warren and Goldsmith's Conservation in Practice which gives it a time perspective lacking in other series. Secondly, it revisits a theme in such a way that suggests it was not all cleared up years ago. The idea of the physical environment being given insufficient weight in conservation is still an issue as these contributions testify. In fact the clear aim of the editors is to bring together the physical and biological sides of ecology and show how integrated study is needed to better conserve our environment.

The introductory chapter highlights the key aims of the text and the concerns of the writers. We start to see the implications of this for conservation when we look at the second chapter which deals with mountains. Given that 2002 is the International Year of Mountains, such ideas are timely. Using a pressure-state-response approach the authors show how climate, vegetation, geology and soils, water and landscape features can affect the ecology of mountainous areas. Further, where more common ecological ideas are discussed it is in the context of the physical environment. The effect is to put familiar material into a new and interesting light. Chapter three looks at slopes. Given that most landforms features are/contain slopes it is surprising that more is not written about them. Whilst this may be due in no small way to the sheer variety of slope-environments it is reasonable to think that they might have common physical features that shape the land. We are reminded that the idea of equilibrium is difficult to apply to slopes and that conservation needs to take this into account. The channel theme is continued into chapters four (river channel environments) and five (floodplains). Human impact here has been considerable and much of the previous conservation effort has been variable in its outlook and success. The engineering works common in so many rivers has given way to a more hydraulically-oriented 'ecohydraulics' notion. At least we can feel that there is one area that has had more enlightened treatment in the last few years. Chapter six looks at lakes. These temporary bodies of water are often the focus for conservation efforts due to both natural and anthropogenic features. The key idea that lake conservation also means bankside conservation is important and should be taken beyond the current area of reservoir management. Freshwater wetlands (chapter seven) and saltmarshes (chapter eight) are two more features that have widespread ecological importance but which can be damaged if not conserved properly. Both require hydrologic management if they are to survive. This is more than just altering a few flow characteristics - it involves the entire physical and biological regime. Coasts are subject to considerable human pressure for development. At the same time these ecosystems (especially dunes) have a vital role to play in terms of coastal stabilisation and water management. As the examples show, it is vital to accept the natural processes of the area. The final two chapters examine global implications for changes in the physical environment. Global warming and sea-level change are related to potential changes in global atmospheric processes. The implications are often considered in terms of human losses but rarely does the debate move to look at the conservation issues of these phenomena. It provides another perspective for us to consider.

The fact that such a text is needed is a reflection on the lack of physical awareness in some areas of ecology. Whereas much has been done in this area it is obvious that a great deal remains to be done. The book is a useful addition to the others in the series. It provides a different perspective and the cases are chosen from around the world giving the book a significant role in a number of places. It text-heavy production limits its appeal but those familiar with the earlier volumes will find much of interest.

David A Wharton. Life at the Limits: Organisms in extreme environments. Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 0 521 78212 0

Recent research into the ocean deeps has shown us that life can exist and even thrive in areas previously considered impossible. This has created an interest, but little accessible literature in, the more extreme environments. One we get past the notion of extreme we can see that it's not just the deep-sea trenches that have unusual environments. This text is an opportunity to extend our understanding.

Not unreasonably given its subject matter, the first chapter is devoted to an explanation of the concept of extreme. We see that its not just pressure but temperature, water and acidity extremes that can give rise to that group of organisms defined here as extremophiles. Chapter two provides us with an overview of some key extreme environments. It's here that the idea of extreme is broadened out so that we can appreciate the sheer variety of organisms. Environments like deserts, polar areas, slat lakes, mountains, and ocean deeps are described and some animal/plant adaptations noted. A useful summary chart compares these settings. Chapters beyond this point take a specific area and examine it in detail. Thus chapter three focusses on extreme dry conditions and how some organisms can survive the most extreme desiccation events. Chapter four moves on to look at temperature extremes. Here the cases go from the desert snail (not usually seen as an extremeophile but temperatures under the shell can exceed 50oC) to the ocean vents) whilst the next chapter goes to the other extreme for organisms who like it as cold as possible. It appears that experiments on freezing have been carried out since the 17th C but it is only recently that we have been able to appreciate the mechanisms involved. Chapter six reviews a number of less significant environments such as extremes of acidity/alkalinity, pressure, salt and sunlight. Chapter seven looks at the changes needed during the evolution of life on Earth and the conditions for life in space. A final chapter provides a summary of the key points made.

There is so much material written about 'normal' species that there is hardly time to consider what is 'not normal' and the conditions under which it can exist. If we ignore such organisms not only do we miss out on a fascinating new study area but we fail to question those species closer to us in environmental terms and can miss insights into their physiology. Although this book is aimed at those with some background knowledge there is enough here to interest the beginner. It is an unusual topic and therefore one which makes us question our ideas more closely.

Worldwatch Institute. State of the World 2002. Earthscan. ISBN: 1 85383 878 0

The need for a global overview has become firmly established. When 'State of the World' started in 1983 it was one of the only reviews of its kind. Today, leaving aside the changes in direction of major series like the World Bank Reports, there is an increasing number of reviews and overviews. It says something for the Worldwatch team that theirs continues to be a leading contributor. This edition also marks the departure of Lester Brown and so one receives the text seeing how, if any, changes are reflected.

This is a focus edition, like the millennial one, but this is focussed on the forthcoming conference on sustainable development in Johannesburg. There is also, in the preface and opening chapter, comment on the events in New York just prior to publication. This is seen as a watershed, as if events there were worse than in the rest of the world. Of course, we can't know this yet but it does provide a graphic example of instability in the world and a reason for the Rio Summit producing far less than it could. The goal for Johannesburg, we are told, is increased stability through sustainable development but one can't help wondering if this is yet another goal too far. Chapter two moves on to look at developments in climate change policy. Here there is argument that another US development, the rejection of Kyoto may actually hasten the process of international agreement and certainly there are numerous examples given to back up this claim. Chapter three's look at farming reports on improvements in production through low-cost innovations. From the rise of agribusiness the authors chart the progress of feeding the majority world's hungry. The results are encouraging with small-scale experiments working but the key problem remains, as it has for years, the ownership of land. As with the previous chapter, there is a summary box highlighting the key issues they feel Johannesburg should focus on. Toxic pollution is the next item in the review. Again, the advances - lead reduction, heavy metal controls - are set against new pollution problems from mining and from richer nations 'exporting' their pollution. It may be unusual to find tourism as an environmental threat but it turns up in chapter 5 as a problem for developing nations whose infrastructure is not able to cope with rises in tourist numbers. Ecotourism is no guarantee of success because it depends upon your definition! Interestingly, we are told that there needs to be changes by both suppliers and tourists so that both can cope. Such a perspective is refreshingly new and makes for one of the best chapters in the book. Chapter 6 outlines changes in population. The focus is not areas with declining populations (they too have problems) but those still increasing. Much of the emphasis we are told needs to be shifted towards women who will be better able to control birth levels. The next issue is resource use and conflict. The argument is put forward that resource-rich developing nations are often at the centre of bitter wars/disputes that leave the poor, poor but enrich the leaders of both sides (and also suppliers of armaments). Using examples from Africa, we are shown how this situation could develop. Ultimately, many people are to blame from weak controls to dealers to nations who want access to resources. Not an easy matter to solve but a more powerful UN is posited as a start. This issue of governance is the focus of the final chapter. Its not an easy topic with many targets and few obvious solutions. However, the author puts forward a good argument showing what gains have been made (mainly extra-governmental) and what needs to be done (supra-governmental). It's a fitting conclusion to a text which seems to be pondering the future more introspectively than previous versions.

Overall, how does this text rate following the changes? The quality of writing is still there: it still acts as a great example for students to model. However, the consistency is not as even as one has seen before. The range of issues and the focus seem to be very appropriate and follow the lead of other academic areas who have sought to focus on Rio +10. The US introspection is very obvious and doesn't always help those of us outside the area grasp the seriousness of situations that affect us all. Even with these caveats it still rates as a 'must-buy' for the library - it's minor problems do not detract from the great quality of its data and analysis.

Richard T Wright and Bernard J Nebel. Environmental Science. 8e. Learning System Edition. Pearson Education. ISBN: 0 13 096923 0

What is most striking about this text is that it is not a conventional text at all but a learning kit. There is the traditional text (now in its 8th edition) but without the binding and with holes punched to fit straight into a file. A student workbook is also provided. Again it is punched to fit into a file - pages can be removed as required and presumably mixed in with the text in a course folder. The student workbook contains a variety of illustrations seen in the text with blank pages alongside to write lecture notes. At the end of each chapter, there is a series of review questions. A third resource is provided - access to a website. This is part of Pearson's drive to get work online. The kit comes with a unique code and a series of instructions. However, it is linked with a college course identification code and so can only really be accessed by those education institutions joining the scheme (thus making review here impossible). However, there is enough material to make evaluation possible.

The book starts with the three main tenets of the text - sustainability, stewardship and sound science. This really sets the tone of the work: it is not aiming to be an ecology course but an applied science course aimed at getting people to think critically about the world they live in and how they might want to see it develop. As such, this perspective sets it apart from many other texts by demanding that students use what they know to question what they do. Of course, whilst this is admirable, it does require some basic conceptual material to work on. Thus we start with 4 chapters on key aspects of ecology: ecosystem structure and function, populations and population change and evolutionary change. This last aspect (chapter five) covers considerable ground ranging from genetics to plate tectonics: as such it is a very good overview of the subject. Chapters six and seven turn to look at human population and the issues raised. The next two chapters deal with soil and water respectively focussing on the way in which people have used (or misused) them. Much of the remaining text concentrates on the way in which people take resources and what this means for environmental systems. We start with food (chapter 10) which covers not only the production of food but also takes in trade and hunger. Wild species and ecosystems resources look at the way in which we deal with other species: in this case, those species which are wanted (conservation), or are threatened (biodiversity) or which should be preserved (national parks systems) - it is not until chapter 17 that there's a chance to discuss unwanted species (pest control). So far, much of the emphasis has been on biological material. Chapters 13 to 15 deal with energy - fossil, nuclear and renewable. With the exception of the two penultimate chapters, the text now covers elements of human impact creating destruction of one form or another. Chapter 16's 'environmental hazards' is used to set the scene with the emphasis being on the the current idea of risk assessment and management. From this, water pollution, solids pollution, toxicology and atmospheric change (two chapters) are the topics chosen. The final two chapters cover economics and policy and sustainable communities respectively.

Overall, this is a very good text. As one would expect, the standards of presentation are extremely high. Despite the complexity of the material, the language is accessible and the number and quality of illustrations make this very user-friendly. The student workbook is a very useful addition to the text (the publishers noting that the entire package costs 20% less than the text alone). The combination of text and workbook would allow a range of teaching strategies to be adopted. The main problem with the text is its focus on North America - although the examples chosen are hardly rare and can be found in any number of other countries making it possible to provide other case studies. The use of the web as a learning tool can only increase but the main problem here is that introductory cases, further examples, review questions and new case studies are all web-based making it virtually impossible to access these resources outside the college setting. This might restrict its take-up in some cases but what remains is still excellent.