"Ecosystems" provides a stimulating introduction to the nature of ecosystems, the types of ecosystem and the interactions between ecosystems and human actions. The second edition of this highly successful volume has been updated to reflect the latest research within ecology. The book incorporates a strengthened theme in the use of functional ecology in explaining how ecosystems work and how the ecosystem concept may be used in science and applied science. Coverage of the interactions between humans and ecosystems has been substantially strengthened with the addition of chapters on: Human impacts on ecosystems; large scale impacts on ecosystems and Global environmental change and consequences for ecosystems. "Ecosystems" provides a concise and accessible synthesis of both ecosystem theory and its applications. Extensive use of exemplary material is used throughout much of which is based on contemporary research.

1. The Nature of Ecosystems 2. How Ecosystems Work: Operational and Support Functions 3. Energy Flow and Energetics 4. Material Cycles in Ecosystems 5. Ecosystems in High Stress Environments: Meeting Environmental Challenges 6. The Role of Disturbance and Succession in Ecosystem Functioning 7. Life in a Crowd: Productive and Intermediate Ecosystems 8. Biomes: World Ecosystem Types 9. Human Impacts on Ecosystems: Humans as an Ecological Factor 10. Large Scale Impacts on Ecosystems 11. Global Environmental Change: Ecosystem Response and Biosphere Impacts