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Contents:

1 - Introduction: the geography of the Artic islands; 2 - Evolution of the Arctic islands; 3 - Weather, climate and atmospheric effects; 4 - Glaciers and ice sheets; 5 - Icebergs and sea ice; 6 - Frost action; 7 - Arctic coasts, rivers and lakes; 8 - Animals and plants; 9 - Indigenous peoples, exploration and environmental impacts; 10 - Postscript: the future of the Arctic islands.

Review:

The Arctic has seemed a strange and forbidding place - certainly not one to be visited witout a great deal of preparation but also, at the same time, a place of great mystery. With the pressure onwilderness areas on the increase it is important to show students how the places look and what can be done to protect them. The first stage is to raise awareness often best done, in this visual age, with ranges of photos and diagrams. The aim of these authors, both Arctic/Polar scientists, is to open up their world so that others can appreciate what is there. Thus we have a personal illustrated account rahter than a strict science text.

We start with an outline of the geography. The Arctic is not just a place of snow and ice it also covers rivers, lakes and fjords which doesn't even start to cover maritime areas. Through copius photos and maps we are told about the physical dimensions of the place. The second chapter starts to unravel the (often warm) history of the area. Although a polar region now we have abundant evidence that the region went through a number of biogeographical changes. We start with tectonic movements and a description of the basic rock types. A timeline adds some idea of changes (especially the 'tropical' ones emphasised to show movement through plate dynamics. Undoubtedly, one of the most crucial factors is the weather. Even if some areas can boast a nickname of the 'Arctic Riviera' it still doesn't stop one thinking about the bitter cold that is a feature of the area. In a year spreading from almost total darkness to 24 hour sunlight we can expect the region to demonstrate a range of responses both biological and physical (which now includes, sadly, evidence of human-induced climate change. Chapter four moves on to glaciers and ice sheets. These are the major erosive forces of the area causing great change in the landscape. Here the authors interest show through. There are stunning images of a range of glaciers and glacial features with maps and data on the extent of the ice. Ig glaciers reach the sea then the resulting icebergs and sea ice are a feature of the coastline. These huge features have been responsible for making the area so difficult and dangerous to travel around (a point explicity explored here). Today we don't just see the Arctic as a block to exploration of the area but as a dynamic feature of global ocean and climate circulation systems. Of all the surface processes, frost action is by far the most common. Permafrost is an obvious example: we are shown its effect and the ways we can work with it. This human/Arctic interaction is a welcome addition to a text most often focussed on the biophysical environment. Permafrost can extend up to 1000m below the surface (although, ironically, it's absent under glaciers by virtue of the ice insulating the surface! Permafrost is also an excellent preservative as the range of plant and animal remains attests. Chapter seven looks at the coasts, rivers and lakes of the area. Many of these features are seasonal and so variable deposits can act as an environmental record of past conditions. Chapter 8 turns to look at the range of plants and animals found in the area. Animals might be well known but it is the flowers with their bright colours which tend to surprise. Although we call the place a wilderness it is also home to indigenous groups (Inuit) and, now, scientists. Each group has its own impact. Indigenous groups have been in the area for at least 4,500 years. Their hunting is sometimes at odds with current conservation interests. Scientists also provide a paradoxical presence where knoowledge is useful but the price is oftwen loss of pristine areas. To this we can now add a military presence (especially in Greenland with US forces) and, growing, tourism. A final chapter looks at the future of the area both in terms of human impact and change.

The value of this text lies in its illustrations. Virtually every page has one or more images which makes the whole text a feast for the reader. Students will respond to the pictures before reading through the science. The whole text encourages the reader to think about what they are seeing: this really must be seen as a 'must-buy' text.