Synopses & Reviews
Why does nature love symmetry? In this up-to-date review of symmetry and its evolutionary implications, Anders Moller and John Swaddle argue that symmetry is related to genetic stability and fitness and that symmetric individuals appear to have quantifiable and significant advantages over
their asymmetric counterparts. In contrast, asymmetry, a common measure of developmental instability, is the result of environmental or genetic disruptions of developmental processes, such as pollutants, competition, parasitism, inbreeding, genetic mutation, and hybridization. Moller and Swaddle
maintain that deviations from morphological symmetry are important factors in social or sexual situations: animals may be able to use symmetry as an honest indication of quality when assessing potential mates or competitors. This comprehensive review of the literature on developmental stability will
be important reading for students and researchers in the fields of ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, and animal behavior.
Review
"A successful attempt at demystifying the complex processes that so impacts the earth's surface to produce familiar landforms."--Northeastern Naturalist
"There is...no other book on the topic as timely and comprehensive. Recommended for all libraries with earth science collections."--Choice
Synopsis
Our landscape is constantly changing, but before the dramatic effects of erosion and mass movement take place, more subtle forces work on the rocks, minerals and soils around us. Weathering is the initial process which exposes the top few layers of the Earth to the potential for change.
This book provides an introduction to the scientific principles behind mechanical, chemical and biological weathering. Starting with a consideration of the chemical and physical properties of rocks and water, the authors proceed to an accessible explanation of the weathering processes themselves, concluding with a review of weathering rates and intensities, and a survey of the effects of weathering on the landscape. Assuming little background knowledge, the authors develop ideas from first principles to provide a straightforward introduction to weathering for students of geography, geology and earth and environmental science.