Encyclopedia of the Biosphere : Humans in the World's Ecosystems (11 Volume Set)

Written by a team of international authors over a period of ten years, this 11-volume reference set, now translated into English, was first published in Catalan in 1998 as Biosfera by UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program. The subject of the work is the biosphereDthat portion of our planet capable of supporting life. Earth's major biomes, their characteristics, and how these ecosystems have been transformed by human activity are covered. Volume 1 serves as the introduction to the concept of the biosphere and the world's biomes. The other volumes are arranged by ecosystem such as tropical rain forests, savannas, deserts, prairies. Each volume includes an introduction to a biome; the text, which covers the ecosystem's environmental factors, plant and animal ecology, human influences and uses, and biosphere reserves; a thematic index, which is really a table of contents misplaced at the back of the volume; a bibliography; a species' index; and a listing of photographers. Many four-color photographs, numerous color maps, and diagrams accompany the volumes. At the time this reviewer received the encyclopedia, Volumes 6, 7, 8, and 11 were not yet published and therefore not available for review. Volume 11 (scheduled for release in mid-December) will contain the cumulative index to the entire set, though the lack of a subject index in each volume is a drawback. This set is aimed primarily at professionals, college students of earth and life sciences, and other serious researchers. It is the only work of its kind, but because it is a pricey investment, only libraries that have a need for this specialized information will want to purchase.DEva Lautemann, Georgia Perimeter Coll. Lib., Clarkston, GA
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