Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 191: (1995)

"...this is an extremely complete and interesting book successfully integrating many of the world biomes with the biological processes that contribute to the patterns of diversity. His discussion of gradients is especially strong, as is his integration of disturbance, life-history biology, and ecological succession. Another lucid and important section is his discussion of ecological processes involved with the determination of endemism and relative invasibility. The examples are terrestrial, but the discussion is complete and highly relevant for marine scientists only recently becoming concerned about this pervasive problem.<br><br>Lacking is adequate coverage of temperate and tropical soft bottom communities that dominate the ocean margins and are so heavily disturbed by man. ...Missing is an appreciation of much of the physical oceanographic processes driving productivity and larval biology. ...While marine scientists will be displeased with the token marine material, I still urge that they read the book for the fine process oriented review of terrestrial habitats."

Paul K. Dayton, Scripps Institution of Oceanography