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Theories of ecological succession conventionally picture the process as straightforward and somewhat predictable. The eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 in the Washington Cascades gave ecologists an opportunity to test their theories against the actual biological recovery observed in the blast area. And they were surprised. Wagner (himself an accomplished natural science author) spent years following the scientists in the aftermath. He attended a convocation of Mount St. Helens researchers who gather every five years to provide updates on their work and interact with peers. Wagner's account of his experiences and interviews with these scientists offer readers a close look at how field scientists strategize and conduct research, even as their personalities and contributions are revealed. From its bacterial soup to exotic rainbow trout, Spirit Lake has developed a new ecosystem since the eruption, despite the continued presence of the log "mat" blown in by the explosion. Elsewhere, meadows were created on the shallower deposits of ash and debris, thanks to a newly thriving pocket gopher population. Absent the top carnivores, surviving elk overpopulated the area, and hunting is now allowed. The book is richly illustrated, supporting Wagner's evocative description of both the site and the procedures of the scientists he followed, a true window into the world of field science.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.

The study of archaeology is a multidisciplinary endeavor, encompassing such disparate fields as biology, chemistry, and physics (that is, most of the natural sciences), as well as the social sciences and humanities. It follows that the tools available to modern-day archaeologists vary widely, depending on their specific interests and expertise, and also on the nature of artifacts that have been unearthed. This work differs from most archaeology texts in being devoted exclusively to the methodologies currently adopted by archaeologists. Five distinct sections follow an introduction jointly authored by Richards (Simon Fraser Univ.) and Britton (Univ. of Aberdeen), namely: "Biomolecular Archaeology," "Bioarchaeology," "Environmental Archaeology," "Materials Analysis," and "Absolute Dating Methods." Each section includes discussion of a wide range of available techniques. The scope and limitations of the various techniques presented are carefully explored, and their utility illustrated through presentation of relevant case studies. The depth and complexity of each chapter varies with the technique in question. Overall, discussion highlights the diversity of information that can be obtained, whether through modern laboratory- or field-based investigation. This is an interesting and well-written text that will be of principal interest to advanced undergraduates and graduate students pursuing careers in archaeology and related fields.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and graduate students.

This multiauthor volume edited by Orcutt (Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences), Daniel (Claude Bernard University Lyon 1) and Dasgupta (Rice Univ.) is an outstanding compilation of current knowledge about essentially all aspects of carbon within the Earth. The book results from 10 years of integrated research by an international group of leading scientists representing the fields of geoscience, biology, materials science, physics, and chemistry, operating under the auspices of the Deep Carbon Observatory and supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The principal objective of the research is to determine the sources, sinks, transfers, and quantities of carbon beneath the Earth's surface. The 20 chapters address the nature and origin of deep carbon-bearing phases and fluids, reservoirs and fluxes emphasizing relationships in various magmatic and tectonic settings, and the range, extent, and diversity of deep life. As the editors stress, this and future research should continue to enhance our knowledge of "carbon's origins, forms, quantities, and movements in space and time." The book is well illustrated, has a thorough index, and includes extensive references and classroom questions at the end of each chapter. This is an excellent resource for upper-level students along with professional scientists interested in any aspect of the Earth's carbon system.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty; professionals.

In an era when climate change and mass extinction are pressing societal issues, an understanding of ecosystem dynamics in deep time offers critical insights. This compendium of classic and pioneering papers on paleoecology has been assembled by editors at the forefront of this research domain. By the 1950s, paleontologists realized that paleoenvironmental context was critical to understanding the nature of the fossil record, and the majority of papers included in this volume were published during these formative decades. The selected articles cover the broad sweep of paleoecological investigations from marine to continental ecosystems, including studies of plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. The editors have inevitably made some tough decisions about the selection, but those papers included do indeed offer an excellent introduction to many of the foundational concepts and historical underpinnings of an area of investigation that has recently seen tremendous growth. Students rarely get to explore the early literature on which much of contemporary research has been built, but this volume offers such an opportunity. Each paper is preceded by a short critical commentary by noteworthy invited experts who highlight the historical context and originality of the contribution. Some are more informative than others, but students will find the references accompanying these commentaries a useful guide to contextualizing each topic.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals.

This is an interesting work combining autobiographical reflections that explain the author's path to his chosen career in marine biology and deep ocean ecology, with detailed observations from his experiences during a particular deep-sea dive. Rogers (formerly, Univ. of Oxford) became interested in the oceans as a child while visiting with his grandfather, a veteran fisherman. His career has often involved him in undersea diving, sometimes carried out in submersibles. Rogers also has acted in an advisory capacity to the popular BBC documentary Blue Planet II, and this text, too, recalls some of his experiences in creating that series. Rogers' descriptions of exploring the ocean floor are vivid and supported by photographic illustrations. He points out evidence of overfishing and subsequent recovery, noting previous damage to the ocean floor from the use of heavy dragging trawlers. The orange roughy serves as an example of a once popular food fish whose population crashed but is now slowly returning, the fishermen having moved on to other species. Additionally Rogers describes the effects of climate change on coastal cities, anticipating their subsidence and its likely repercussions for human populations. The book is well written and provides a worthwhile, enjoyable read.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.