From acid rain, CFC's, and the greenhouse effect to the food-chain and the gene bank, Oxford's thoroughly revised Dictionary of Ecology, Second Edition provides 5,000 up-to-date entries on all aspects of ecology and the environmental sciences. Offering direct access to the most accurate and up-to-date information available, the dictionary covers a vast range of subjects, from plant and animal physiology, animal behavior, evolution, environmental pollution, and conservation to climatology, meteorology, geomorphology, and oceanography. The Dictionary of Ecology, Second Edition, has been fully updated to incorporate developments in this rapidly evolving field, particularly in the areas of molecular ecology, conservation, and the management of habitats. Also included are biographical notes on eminent ecologists and other scientists, as well as helpful cross-references that make this volume an invaluable reference tool for students, professionals, and anyone with an interest in the natural world and our environment.