The Biology of Caves and Other Subterranean Habitats

David C. Culver and Tanja Pipan

Biology of Habitats Series

274 pages | 75 line and 20 halftone illustrations | 234x156mm

978-0-19-921993-3 | Paperback | 29 January 2009

Also available as: Hardback

Price: £36.00

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The first concise and affordable textbook of cave and subterranean ecology, providing an authoritative and up-to-date overview of the field
Covers a range of biological processes, including evolution and adaptation, ecosystem function, community ecology, biogeography, and conservation
Includes a global range of examples and case studies from both caves and non-cave subterranean habitats
Clear explanations of specialized terms used by speleologists

Caves and other subterranean habitats with their often strange (even bizarre) inhabitants have long been objects of fascination, curiosity, and debate. The question of how such organisms have evolved, and the relative roles of natural selection and genetic drift, has engaged subterranean biologists for decades. Indeed, these studies continue to inform the more general question of adaptation and evolution. However, interest in subterranean biology is not limited to questions of evolutionary biology. Both the distribution and the apparent ancient age of many subterranean species continue to be of significant interest to biogeographers. Subterranean ecosystems generally exhibit little or no primary productivity and, as "extreme" ecosystems, provide general insights into ecosystem function. Furthermore, the simplicity of subterranean communities relative to most surface-dwelling communities makes them useful model systems for the study of species interactions such as competition and predation, as well as more general principles of ecosystem function. The rarity of many cave species makes them of special interest in conservation biology.

The Biology of Caves and other Subterranean Habitats offers a concise but comprehensive introduction to cave ecology. Whilst there is an emphasis on the organisms that dominate this unique environment, conservation and management aspects are also considered. The book includes a global range of examples and case studies from both caves and non-cave subterranean habitats; it also provides a clear explanation of specialized terms used by speleologists. This accessible text will appeal to researchers new to the field and to the many professional ecologists and conservation practitioners requiring a concise but authoritative overview. Its engaging style will also make it suitable for senior undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in cave and subterranean biology.

Readership: The book will principally appeal to researchers new to the field and to the many professional ecologists and conservation practitioners requiring a concise but authoritative overview. However, its accessibility will also make it suitable for senior undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in cave and subterranean biology.

The specification in this catalogue, including without limitation price, format, extent, number of illustrations, and month of publication, was as accurate as possible at the time the catalogue was compiled. Occasionally, due to the nature of some contractual restrictions, we are unable to ship a specific product to a particular territory. Jacket images are provisional and liable to change before publication.

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