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Index
Cover Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Earth’s Biosphere
The Diversity of Life
The Importance of the Biosphere
The Flow of Energy
Average net primary production of the Earth’s major habitats
Nutrient Cycling
The Carbon Cycle
Autotrophs and Heterotrophs
The Nitrogen Cycle
The Sulfur Cycle
The Phosphorus Cycle
The Hydrologic Cycle
Links Among the Nutrient Cycles
Earth’s Environmental Conditions
The Role of Temperature
Humidity
The pH Scale
The Salinity of Earth’s Water Bodies
Water Currents
Atmospheric Pressure
Hydrostatic Pressure
Chapter 2: The Evolution of the Biosphere
Earth’s Geologic History and Early Life-Forms
Lynn Margulis
The Development of Life
The First Life-Forms
The Growing Complexity
The Challenges to the Development of Life
The Greenhouse Effect
Extinction and Diversification
The Cambrian Explosion
The Emergence of Terrestrial Life
The Progression of Evolution
Glaciation and Drought During the Permian Period
The Reptilian Radiation
Gymosperms
The Diversity of Cretaceous Life
The Effects of Climate
Mass Extinction
The Early Paleogene Transition
The Rise of the Mammals
The Emergence of the Primates
Cenozoic Climatic Fluctuation
Quaternary Extinctions
Chapter 3: Biomes and Ecosystems
The Concept of Biogeography
Biotic Distributions
Dispersalist and Vicariance Biogeography
Endemism
Land Bridge
Components of Species Diversity
Species Adaptations to Changing Environments
The Effects of Geologic Changes on Biotic Distributions
The Distribution Boundaries of Flora and Fauna
The Floral Kingdoms
A Geographic Breakdown of the Boreal Kingdom
The Paleotropical Kingdom and Its Subkingdoms
The Neotropical Kingdom
The South African Kingdom
The Australian Kingdom
The Antarctic Kingdom
The Faunal Realms
The Holarctic Realm
Wallace’s Line
The Paleotropical Realm
The Notogaean Realm
The Neogaean Realm
The Antarctic Realm
Ecosystems
Biological Communities
Ecotones
Chapter 4: Terrestrial Ecosystem Case Studies
The Mountain Ecosystem
The Origin of Mountain Ecosystems
Mountain Environments
Biodiversity
The Flora of Mountain Ecosystems
The Fauna of Mountain Ecosystems
The Development and Structure of Populations and Communities in Mountain Ecosystems
Biological Productivity in Mountain Ecosystems
The Polar Ecosystem
The Origin of Polar Flora and Fauna
Polar Environments
Biota of the Arctic
Biota of the Antarctic
The Development and Structure of Populations and Communities in Polar Ecosystems
Biological Productivity in Polar Ecosystems
Chapter 5: Aquatic Ecosystem Case Studies
The Marine Ecosystem
The Origins of Marine Life
The Shape of the Oceans
The Physical and Chemical Properties of Seawater
Ocean Currents
Marine Biota
Plankton
Nekton
Benthos
Links Between the Pelagic Environments and the Benthos
Organisms of the Deep-Sea Vents
The Distribution and Dispersal of Marine Organisms
Migrations of Marine Organisms
The Dynamics of Populations and Species Assemblages in Marine Ecosystems
Biological Productivity
The Pelagic Food Chain
Upwelling
Seasonal Cycles of Production
Riverine and Lacustrine Ecosystems
The Boundary Ecosystem
Boundary Systems Between Waters
Estuaries
Lagoons
Aquaculture
Wetlands
Bogs
Marshes
Swamps
Functions and Values of Wetlands
Conclusion
Appendix: Significant Ecosystem Components and Concepts
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
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