Methods for the examination of organismal diversity in soils and sediments
By: edited by Geoffrey S. Hall ; project coordinators, Pierre Lasserre and David L. Hawksworth
Contributors: Hall, G. S.; Lasserre, Pierre; Hawksworth, D. L
Publisher: CAB International in association with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS)
Published: 1996
Place of publication: Wallingford, Oxon, UK; New York, NY, USA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 307
Subjects: Soil biology -- Technique; Sediments (Geology) -- Microbiology -- Technique; Soil ecology -- Technique; Soil animals; Soil microbiology
Description: Our lack of knowledge of the organisms dwelling in soils and sediments and of their roles in ecological processes, constitutes a major barrier to understanding how ecosystems operate. This topic has both academic and applied relevance. Thus, in order to forecast the implications of perturbations in a site on both the species present and ecosystem functioning, whether direct (e.g. pollution or physical disturbance) or indirect (e.g. climate change), methods need to be available that can be used to ascertain what organisms are present in a sample. This book provides an authoritative manual of the techniques now used for different organisms. It has been developed as part of UNESCO's contribution to the DIVERSITAS programme and implemented through the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS). Soil organisms and those inhabiting freshwater and marine sediments, from microbes (bacteria, algae, fungi, etc.) to macrofauna (earthworms, nematodes, molluscs, etc.) are all treated. The chapters are arranged by organismal groups and have been written by recognized specialists from the USA and Europe. The book makes a major contribution to the literature and will be indispensable for soil and aquatic biologists and ecologists, as well as those with a broader interest in biodiversity and environmental sciences.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index