The biology and ecology of giant kelp forests /

Schiel and Foster provide a detailed, multifaceted synthesis of knowledge about macrocystis (giant kelp). They present the material in sections devoted to biology, the ecosystem, and "human use, management, and conservation." The first section (four chapters) provides superb accounts of taxonomy, evolution, biogeography, structure, function, and reproduction. The fine chapters in the next two sections will be of particular value to those interested in ecology and conservation. Likewise the two chapters in the concluding section, "Global Change and the Future." This reviewer has two major complaints about the book, both related to production. First, it is printed on porous paper, which results in poorly reproduced photographs, some with such low contrast as to be nearly worthless. Second, the book includes no color illustrations, which is inexcusable for a book costing $75. Many general and juvenile works on kelps have excellent color illustrations yet cost a fraction of the price of this one. Summing Up: Recommended. With reservations. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals. --Rudolf Schmid, University of California, Berkeley