- Email: [email protected]
Introduction to quantitative paleoecology
774
Book Reviews
serves both to publicise this under-appreciated technique for studying the bottom of the sea. and as a useful reference book for the active user of the equipment.
BP Research Centre, Chertsey Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex, England.
V. N. D. CASTON
Introduction to quantitative paleoecology. R. A. REYMENT,Elsevier Publishing Co., Amsterd a m - L o n d o n - N e w York, 1971. 226 pp. £7.80. THE PROGRESS of paiaeoecology in the last few years has been marked by the publication of several important books. One of these is Professor Reyment's book on quantitative palaceecology. Its importance lies in the fact that it is the first textbook on this topic. Its easy conversational style makes it much easier to read than similar books on quantitative methods applied to other branches of natural science. The statistics that are used in the book are, as stated in the Preface, 'deliberately kept at an elementary level . . . in the hope of reaching a relatively large audience'. Topics covered in the seven chapters include orientation analysis, variation of morphological characteristics within populations and in relation to the environment, population dynamics and the preparation of ostracod life tables, quantitative appraisal of predation intensity and the relative proneness to attack amongst different species, analysis of species distribution, orientation of bivalve shells, recognition of communities, to name but a few. The topics and methods discussed are laid out in the form of 'case histories' under five headings. The problem is stated and the data to be used is discussed. T h e best model for analysing the problem is then given. This is followed by a description of the quantitative method, whether statistical or otherwise, which is to be used. This is illustrated in the calculation section where the data is worked up. The results are then evaluated in the discussion section. The use of actual data (much of it from Professor Reyment's own researches) in these case histories gives the book an air of realism which should help the working palaeoecologist to use the techniques described more readily and to overcome his reluctance to use statistical methods. Reyment's pertinent advice, 'do not forget the graph' should help in this respect. The 'Table of Contents' clearly sets out problems that are discussed and the methods used. Then follows a list of examples telling the reader exactly what is discussed in the various chapters. The inclusion of a 'List of Methods' following this is especiaUy welcome as it tells the reader at a glance exactly where to find details of the particular statistical method he wishes to use. These three lists, together with an excellent index, make the book easy to use as a standard work of reference. F O R T R A N programs for some of the statistical methods used in the book are included as one of the six appendices. A reference list is included at the end containing a selection of some of the more quantitative papers so far published in palaeoecology. The deliberate exclusion of any description of multivariate analysis on the grounds (p. 4) that the mathematical methods involved are beyond the scope of the book is perhaps a point where one might disagree with the author. This book should be read by all palaeoecologists and should be bought by many as a standard reference work even although the price (£7.80) seems a trifle excessive!
National Institute of Oceanography, Wormley, Godalming, Surrey, U.K.
L B. WILSON
Ecology and lmlaeoeeology of marine environments. WILHELM SCH.AFER, Oliver & Boyd. Edinburgh, 1972. 568 pp. £10.00. Translated by IRMGARD OERTEL and edited by G. Y. CRAta from Aktuo-palf, ontologie nach Studien in der Nordsee. Verlag W a l d e m a r Kramer. Frankfurt am M a i n 1962. (Now out of print). THE PUBLICATION of the English translation of Professor Schgfer's classic work on actuopalaeontology in the N o r t h Sea by Irmgard Oertel and edited by Professor G. Y. Craig is a n event of the greatest importance in the advancement of palaeoecology. W h e n Professor
Book Reviews
serves both to publicise this under-appreciated technique for studying the bottom of the sea. and as a useful reference book for the active user of the equipment.
BP Research Centre, Chertsey Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex, England.
V. N. D. CASTON
Introduction to quantitative paleoecology. R. A. REYMENT,Elsevier Publishing Co., Amsterd a m - L o n d o n - N e w York, 1971. 226 pp. £7.80. THE PROGRESS of paiaeoecology in the last few years has been marked by the publication of several important books. One of these is Professor Reyment's book on quantitative palaceecology. Its importance lies in the fact that it is the first textbook on this topic. Its easy conversational style makes it much easier to read than similar books on quantitative methods applied to other branches of natural science. The statistics that are used in the book are, as stated in the Preface, 'deliberately kept at an elementary level . . . in the hope of reaching a relatively large audience'. Topics covered in the seven chapters include orientation analysis, variation of morphological characteristics within populations and in relation to the environment, population dynamics and the preparation of ostracod life tables, quantitative appraisal of predation intensity and the relative proneness to attack amongst different species, analysis of species distribution, orientation of bivalve shells, recognition of communities, to name but a few. The topics and methods discussed are laid out in the form of 'case histories' under five headings. The problem is stated and the data to be used is discussed. T h e best model for analysing the problem is then given. This is followed by a description of the quantitative method, whether statistical or otherwise, which is to be used. This is illustrated in the calculation section where the data is worked up. The results are then evaluated in the discussion section. The use of actual data (much of it from Professor Reyment's own researches) in these case histories gives the book an air of realism which should help the working palaeoecologist to use the techniques described more readily and to overcome his reluctance to use statistical methods. Reyment's pertinent advice, 'do not forget the graph' should help in this respect. The 'Table of Contents' clearly sets out problems that are discussed and the methods used. Then follows a list of examples telling the reader exactly what is discussed in the various chapters. The inclusion of a 'List of Methods' following this is especiaUy welcome as it tells the reader at a glance exactly where to find details of the particular statistical method he wishes to use. These three lists, together with an excellent index, make the book easy to use as a standard work of reference. F O R T R A N programs for some of the statistical methods used in the book are included as one of the six appendices. A reference list is included at the end containing a selection of some of the more quantitative papers so far published in palaeoecology. The deliberate exclusion of any description of multivariate analysis on the grounds (p. 4) that the mathematical methods involved are beyond the scope of the book is perhaps a point where one might disagree with the author. This book should be read by all palaeoecologists and should be bought by many as a standard reference work even although the price (£7.80) seems a trifle excessive!
National Institute of Oceanography, Wormley, Godalming, Surrey, U.K.
L B. WILSON
Ecology and lmlaeoeeology of marine environments. WILHELM SCH.AFER, Oliver & Boyd. Edinburgh, 1972. 568 pp. £10.00. Translated by IRMGARD OERTEL and edited by G. Y. CRAta from Aktuo-palf, ontologie nach Studien in der Nordsee. Verlag W a l d e m a r Kramer. Frankfurt am M a i n 1962. (Now out of print). THE PUBLICATION of the English translation of Professor Schgfer's classic work on actuopalaeontology in the N o r t h Sea by Irmgard Oertel and edited by Professor G. Y. Craig is a n event of the greatest importance in the advancement of palaeoecology. W h e n Professor