The polar regions can be hostile to life but are sometimes surprisingly productive. The Biology of Polar Habitats gives a readable overview of polar habitats, from ice caps to tundra and open ocean. It describes their physical characteristics, the communities of microorganisms, plants, and animals inhabiting them, and their interactions with the global environment. It reviews the origins of the habitats and their subsequent colonization and population dynamics, and considers the future changes that may result from global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, and human activities. The book is unusual in that it describes and compares the two polar regions, rather than focusing on one. The author"s expertise lies in both the Arctic and Antarctica, and his experience encompasses marine and terrestrial ecology. This is the most authoritative and up-to-date book currently available on polar biology. The text provides an excellent introduction for anyone intending to work in research or management in the polar regions. It is also ideal for students in undergraduate and post-graduate courses in biology, ecology, microbial ecology, geography, and conservation.