Essentials of Ecology and Environmental Science

Study of ecology and environmental science has undergone tremendous change over the past four decades and has matured into a subject that stands at the forefront of education. This comprehensive book, now in its third edition, gives a lucid and clear introduction to the fundamental principles of ecology and environmental science. It directs the reader to different frontiers of environmental science and summarizes the relationship between ecology and evolution through a critical analysis of different ecocompart-ments, viz. atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. The book also elaborates on many environmental topics such as atmospheric science, soil science, limnology, natural and genetic resources, biodiversity, pollution, and ecosystems, giving native examples for a sound understanding of the interdisciplinary field of environmental science. Two new chapters on Fragile Ecosystems and Environmental Disasters enhance the value of the text. This book is primarily intended as a text for the undergraduate core course on environmental science and for undergraduate honours courses in ecology, environmental biology as well as for postgraduate courses in environmental biology, ecology, and pollution ecology. In addition, the book would also be useful for students appearing in different competitive examinations. Key Features Includes extreme habitats, viz. frozen world, open oceans, baking deserts, and coral reefs.? Provides an update on major ecosystems and environmental issues.? Problem of pollution is discussed at length in separate chapters on air, water, noise, radioactive, solid waste and land pollution.? Study of ecology and environmental science has undergone tremendous change over the past four decades and has matured into a subject that stands at the forefront of education. This comprehensive book, now in its third edition, gives a lucid and clear introduction to the fundamental principles of ecology and environmental science. It directs the reader to different frontiers of environmental science and summarizes the relationship between ecology and evolution through a critical analysis of different ecocompart-ments, viz. atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. The book also elaborates on many environmental topics such as atmospheric science, soil science, limnology, natural and genetic resources, biodiversity, pollution, and ecosystems, giving native examples for a sound understanding of the interdisciplinary field of environmental science. Two new chapters on Fragile Ecosystems and Environmental Disasters enhance the value of the text. This book is primarily intended as a text for the undergraduate core course on environmental science and for undergraduate honours courses in ecology, environmental biology as well as for postgraduate courses in environmental biology, ecology, and pollution ecology. In addition, the book would also be useful for students appearing in different competitive examinations. Key Features Includes extreme habitats, viz. frozen world, open oceans, baking deserts, and coral reefs.? Provides an update on major ecosystems and environmental issues.? Problem of pollution is discussed at length in separate chapters on air, water, noise, radioactive, solid waste and land pollution.?