Ecology of Arctic Environments

About this book

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.

Paperback re-issue, originally published in 1997.

Contents

Arctic Soils And Permafrost Microbial Ecology, Decomposition And Nutrient Cycling The Role Of Bryophytes And Lichens In Polar Ecosystems Habitat Fragility As An Aid To Long Term Survival In Arctic Vegetation The Role Of Arctic Vegetation In Ecosystem And Global Processes Life Strategies Of Arctic Terrestrial Arthropods Environmental Fluctuations In Arctic Marine Ecosystems As Reflected By Variabilty In Reproduction Of Polar Bears And Ringed Seals Trophic Interactions In Arctic Ecosystems And The Occurrence Of A Terrestrial Trophic Cascade Pathways And Effects Of Contaminants In The Arctic Effects Of Acid Deposition On Arctic Vegetation Effects Of Enhanced UV-B Radiation On Subarctic Vegetation Effects Of CO2 And Climate Change On Arctic Ecosystems

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Biography

Dr Sarah Woodin, PhD, is a lecturer in the Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Aberdeen. Dr Mick Marquiss is a Population Ecologist with the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology at Banchory Research Station.