Author(s): Peter D. Moore; David Bellamy

Biology, Genetics, Zoology | Environment, Climate, Ecology | Botany

Peatlands are, by definition, unbalanced systems in which the rate of production of organic material by living organisms exceeds the rate at which these compounds are respired and degraded. The result is an accumulation of a proportion of this production (not always the 'hunderith part'!) as an organic deposit which we term peat. As the peat blanket thickens, the surface vegetation becomes insulated from underlying soils and rocks, and the resulting environmental changes are often accompanied by floristic changes which reflect the altered hydro logy and chemistry of the peat surface. Peat producing ecosystems, or mires, are thus dynamic ecological entities, constantly changing, growing, spreading and eroding.

Good condition. Pages, spine, cover - sound and binding firm. Ex library - stamps on front and back page and on title page.