Ecology of Arctic Environments: 13th Special Symposium of the British Ecological Society (Symposia of the British Ecological Society)

Cambridge University Press, 8/1/1997
EAN 9780521839983, ISBN10: 052183998X

Hardcover, 294 pages, 24.4 x 17 x 1.8 cm
Language: English
Originally published in English

Once thought of as a pristine environment it is now all too apparent that the Arctic is a sink for pollutants transported northwards over long distances in the atmosphere and oceans and is also likely to be subject to major climate change as a result of global warming. Many ecologists are currently seeking to further our understanding of how Arctic ecosystems function and to detect and predict anthropogenic changes which may occur within them. This book, resulting from a British Ecological Society Special Symposium, addresses these issues. Early chapters provide a background to the soils and periglacial processes of the Arctic and to the role of microbial and plant communities in ecosystem function. The following chapters consider the relationship between individual Arctic species and their environment, particularly in the context of climate change, whilst a further chapter draws together terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in a consideration of trophic cascades. The book ends with four chapters concentrating on man's impacts on the Arctic environment.

Preface
1. Arctic soils and permafrost E. A. FitzPatrick
2. Microbial ecology, decomposition and nutrient cycling C. H. Robinson and P. A. Wookey
3. The role of bryophytes and lichens in polar ecosystems R. E. Longton
4. The role of arctic vegetation in ecosystem and global processes F. S. Chaplin III, J. P. McFadden and S. E. Hobbie
5. Habitat fragility as an aid to long-term survival in arctic vegetation R. M. M. Crawford
6. Life strategies of arctic terrestrial arthropods J. S. Bale, I. D. Hodkinson, W. Block, N. R. Webb, S. C. Coulson and A. T. Strathdee
7. Environmental fluctuations in arctic marine ecosystems as reflected by variablility in reproduction of polar bears and ringed seals I. Stirling and N. J. Lunn
8. Trophic interactions in arctic ecosystems and the occurrence of a terrestrial trophic cascade D. R. Bazely and R. L. Jefferies
9. Pathways and effects of contaminants in the Arctic E. Steinnes
10. Effects of acid deposition on arctic vegetation S. J. Woodin
11. Effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on subarctic vegetation L. O. Bjorn, T. V. Callaghan, C. Gehrke, D. Gwynn-Jones, B. Holmgren, U. Johanson and M. Sonesson
12. Effects of CO2 and climate change on arctic ecosystems W. C. Oechel, A. C. Cook, S. J. Hastings and G. L. Vourlitis
Index.