Review by Choice Review
A most timely volume on a subject of universal interest to those concerned with global vegetation and climate change, this compendium of 24 articles by authors from around the world grew out of a series of discussions held in Austria in 1987 promoting the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme. The book provides state-of-the-art scientific information on biotic responses to global environmental change as well as monitoring and modeling global vegetation change. Articles are well documented with pertinent literature, along with relevant tables and figures. The use of geographic information systems is presented with a dramatic set of color Landsat images and global maps showing possible shifts in the world's vegetation zones. There is no doubt that anthropogenic climatic change will occur if the current rate of greenhouse gas emissions continues. It remains to be seen how soon and how intense the effects will be. Excellent background is provided on a diversity of issues related to measuring the responses and effects on the biota as well as modeling potential changes. Ideal for college libraries as a basic reference. Undergraduate; graduate. W. A. Niering; Connecticut College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
