Book Review

by Paul Ganderton

Adds J., Larkcom E. & Miller R. 1997. The Organism and the Environment. Nelson. pp vi + 178. 8.99 pounds. ISBN 0 17 448267 1.

This is written specifically for module 2 of the current ULEAC/EdExcel A level Biology syllabus. It provides very much 'all you need to know' for the examination and so it is a must for every student taking ULEAC Biology. The authors intend to produce a second version for the corresponding Human Biology Module 2 (Man and the Environment). There are strong arguments for and against a book designed specifically for a particular syllabus (will the students read anything else?) but this book it is a very useful book in its own right even if you don't use the ULEAC syllabus. The first three chapters cover basic, traditional ground in autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition and internal regulation. The real shift in gear came with the subsequent chapters. "Adaptation to the environment" deals with classification and succession in detail with some excellent illustrations. This is followed by chapters on ecosystems, land use and biodiversity, pests and pollution and environmental change. Each of these chapters covers the basic material but also gives some excellent case studies e.g. Wicken Fen and the River Thames alongside stalwarts such as global warming and acid rain. Each chapter has a standard layout of uniformly high quality. In the margins there are occasional questions; practical work is suggested at the end and the whole is put together with copious use of full colour diagrams and photographs. Only the addition of summaries would improve the overall usefulness of the text. Definitely one for the bookshelves.