The Dictionary of Ecology and Environmental Science [Paperback]

Henry Warren Art (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1995

This comprehensive reference work brings together the terminology and background concepts used in environmental biology, environmental chemistry, environmental geology, environmental physics, and many other related fields. Includes over 8,000 fully cross-referenced entries, as well as illustrations, charts, and diagrams. Foreword by Dr. F. Herbert Bormann, Professor Emeritus, Forest Ecology, Yale University.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Several environmental dictionaries have been published in recent years, some with a particular emphasis such as engineering, technology, or law. This one is intended to satisfy the needs of a wide range of users, including nonspecialists. However, a basic knowledge of biology, geology, and chemistry is needed for readers to get the most out of this dictionary. Over 8000 entries dealing with the environmental sciences and ecology are included, with definitions that are for the most part clear and concise. There are some entries for environmental laws and organizations but none for individuals, and the numerous See references are helpful. Only a few illustrations are provided. Appropriately, this book has been printed on acid-free recycled paper. For public, academic, and high school libraries.
- William H. Wiese, Iowa State Univ. Lib., Ames
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

With more than 8,000 entries, this specialized dictionary aims to provide "a complete collection of all the terms and key ideas that are central to understanding the environment." Readers will find definitions of terms from squid to septic tank, from cold front to connate water, and from mesa to milk teeth. Concepts from environmental biology, chemistry, geology, and physics are included. DEES's intended audience is students, professionals, and the environmentally curious.

General-editor Art is a professor of biology at Williams College and the author of A Garden of Wildflowers (Storey Communications, 1986). Nine contributing editors are all U.S. academics.

The entries are concise, rarely exceeding 100 words. The following is typical: "swimmeret: An abdominal limb or appendage in crustaceans usually used for swimming; it may be used to help females in carrying eggs. Also called a pleopod." Numerous cross-references, indicated by small capitals, are supplied. For example, the entry shield volcano also sends the reader to composite volcano and pyroclastic cones.

A small number of high-quality line drawings are scattered throughout the text. Though rare, they add a lot to the definitions, and more of them would undoubtedly enhance future editions. A 30-page appendix includes the periodic table of the elements, a geologic time scale, and the USDA zone map for temperature.

Comparable sources include the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Environmental Science & Engineering (McGraw-Hill, 1993) and A Dictionary of the Environment (Van Nostrand, 1993). The latter title is very similar to DEES as both consist of short entries and are virtually unillustrated. DEES defines emerald as "green gemstone variety of the mineral beryl." A Dictionary of the Environment defines it as "green beryl of gem quality." DEES is also similar to The Facts on File Dictionary of Environmental Science [RBB F 1 92].

The Dictionary of Ecology and Environmental Science will serve any library well as a basic undergraduate and browser's ready-reference source. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 642 pages
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks (March 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805038485
• ISBN-13: 978-0805038484
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #930,246 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Clear, concise, and useful, April 19, 2005

By 

Matt Hetling "Matt" (Bethel, ME USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dictionary of Ecology and Environmental Science (Paperback)

This is a serviceable reference, and any environmentalist will find that it is a useful book to keep handy when encountering an unfamiliar word or phrase. The book seems to be comprehensive, with every term you could imagine. The entries are also very clear, with succinct explanations that favor being clear over being wordy.

The editor did make a couple of odd format choices, however. The font size is much larger than I'm used to seeing in a dictionary or glossary, and there are very few pictures or illustrations of any kind. I think that more pictures would have made thumbing through the guide a much more enjoyable experience, and the large font size contributes to the book's somewhat cumbersome size. I don't mind my dictionary being big; I just think it should be that size in the service of giving me as many entries as possible.

Criticisms aside, this is a very useful guide, and I do recommend this or something like this for anyone with an interest in ecology.