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Target Readership	Educator +					For help with criteria, click here
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Contents:

1 - A history of molecular ecology; 2 - Molecular biology for ecologists; 3 - Molecular identification: species, individuals and sex; 4 - Behavioural ecology; 5 - Population genetics; 6 - Molecular and adaptive variation; 7 - Phylogeography; 8 - Conservation genetics; 9 - Microbial ecology; 10 - Molecular ecology and genetically modified organisms; Appendices: practical aspects; analytical methods.

Review:

As the authors rightly state, this is a relatively new discipline. There might be a sense that this topic (some might not see it as a subject yet) has some way to go. Alternatively, we could be at the start of a major shift in perspective. Consider how ecology has changed in the past 40 years. Odum's diagrams of ecological energetics gave way to systems approaches which in turn gave way to a scalar perspective looking at individuals, populations and communities. There is every reason to see the next move as being towards genetics and molecular ecology (and the recent growth in these areas demonstrates the strength of interest). If we are to move in this direction it follows that we need good basic texts to show us the basic concepts, which is where this text fits in.

Usefully, this text starts with an overview of the history of the subject and the development of the strands making up this subject area. Given its youth this history is not very long but then it's none too well known either so such an overview is to be welcomed. From there, we move into the basics of molecular biology: an overview of DNA and genome structure. Having gained some insight into the basics, chapter three examines how we can use molecular ecology to determine species: a major help in reducing problem classifications in taxonomy. Such techniques can also be used to distinguish individuals and gender. Even at this stage the utility of this work is clear: here we have techniques vital to conservation and biodiversity. Chapter four takes a less usual look at behavioural ecology by linking it with genetic influences and showing us how this might aid our understanding of behavioural patterns. Chapter five is yet another demonstration of the power of molecular ecology. Populations can have considerable genetic diversity: molecule-level assessments help in many ways including understanding the structure of fragmented populations. Chapter six focusses on adaptive variations and the ability to withstand changes and thus aid in long-term viability. Phylogeography (chapter seven) - the use of genetics in determining sub-populations - gives the topic a spatial dimension. Much of the work to this point is given a practical twist in chapter eight which examines the role of genetics in conservation. This is perhaps one of the better known branches of the subject but its link with molecular ecology makes for a deeper understanding. Chapter nine moves the reader to a new area - microbial ecology. Since microbes have more species than other life forms (in addition to the greatest biomass) understanding their ecology is vital. A final chapter describes the practical use of genetic and molecular ecology through their use in genetically-modified organisms. Two appendices give a good overview practical and analytical techniques.

This is a good introduction to the topic. A range of features are used to aid understanding. Chapters have numerous illustrations whilst overviews and summaries tease out key points. Both elements make this topic easier to grasp although the topic is more suited, currently, to educators and undergraduates. The latter will find this a great start to work on the topic whilst the former can use the ideas here to underpin ecological concepts.