Review by Choice Review
The precariousness of the environment of Antarctica for large organisms is fairly well known, but much less is known, and no books are available, about Antarctic microbes and their environments. This volume, by a New Zealand researcher, helps rectify that lack. Although a technical work, it is clearly organized and very readable. All groups of microbes--bacteria, micro-algae, micro-fungi, and protozoa--are considered. The available information about them in the sea ice, sea-marginal ice, open ocean, lake and stream, soil, and rock ecosystems is surveyed. Many readers will be unfamiliar with the unique in-rock microbes. There is a chapter about microbes and humans in Antarctica. Some common misconceptions are corrected, for example the notion that shrimplike krill are the only link in the marine food chain between photosynthetic algae and larger animals, or that high biomass in Antarctic soil and benthos means high productivity. In addition to information about the organisms, Vincent presents and analyzes aspects of the physical environment and its direct and indirect effects on them. A 26-page appendix gives detailed consideration of Antarctic climate. Helpful also are a brief glossary, a substantial reference list, and a detailed index. Recommended for libraries serving readers interested in microbiology. -E. D. Rudolph, The Ohio State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
