Cyanobacteria make a major contribution to world photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation but are
also notorious for causing nuisances such as dense and often toxic `blooms' in lakes and the
ocean. The Ecology of Cyanobacteria: Their Diversity in Time and Space is the first book to
focus solely on ecological aspects of these organisms. Its twenty-two chapters are written by
some thirty authors who are leading experts in their particular subject. The book begins with
an overview of the cyanobacteria - or blue-green algae for those who are not specialists -
then looks at their diversity in the geological record and goes on to describe their ecology in
present environments where they play important roles. Why is one of the key groups of organisms
in the Precambrian still one of the most important groups of phototrophs today? The importance
of ecological information for rational management and exploitation of these organisms for
commercial and other practical purposes is also assessed. Accounts are provided of nuisances as
well as the ecology of the commercially successful Spirulina and the role of cyanobacteria in
ecosystem recovery from oil pollution. Many chapters include aspects of physiology
biochemistry geochemistry and molecular biology where these help general understanding of the
subject. In addition there are three chapters dealing specifically with molecular ecology.
Thirty-two pages of colour photos incorporate about seventy views and light micrographs. These
features make the book valuable to a wide readership including biologists microbiologists
geologists water managers and environmental consultants. The book complements the highly
successful The Molecular Biology of Cyanobacteria already published by Kluwer.
