Preface.. Preface to the Second Edition.. The Dictionary.. Appendices.. 1. Geological time scale.. 2. Terrestrial chronology of the quaternary ice age in the northern hemisphere.. 3. Marine oxygen isotope chronology of the quternary Ice Age.. 4. Wallace's zoogeographical regions.. 5. Phytogeographical regions.. 6. Terrestrial biomes.. 7. Tectonic plates.. 8. Major oceanic surface currents.. 9. Marine depth zones.. 10. Lacustrine depth zones.. 11. Soil profile and horizon nomenclature.. 12. Zonation of the atmosphere.. 13. Plankton size categories.. 14. Sediment particle size categories.. 15. Taxonomic hierarchy.. 16. SI units.. 17. Temperature conversion chart.. 18. The beaufort wind scale.. 19. Chemical elements.. 20. The electromagnetic spectrum.. 21. Composition of the atmosphere.. 22. Global distribution of water.. 23. The genetic code and amino acids.. 24. Signs and symbols.. 25. Acronyms and abbreviations.. 26. Latin abbreviations.. 27. Greek and Russian alphabets: Roman numerals.. 28. Proof correction marks.. 29. International paper sizes

The dynamic nature of science and scientific progress has required a completely revised, updated and expanded version of this hugely successful book, which remains the most wide-ranging and comprehensive dictionary for the study of natural history in its broadest sense. There are over 11,000 entries, providing a working dictionary for students, teachers, researchers and others having an interest within the broad arena of biodiversity studies. The coverage cuts across classical disciplines (botany, zoology, bacteriology, mineralogy, palaeontology, etc.), focusing particularly on concepts, strategies and methodologies. New information in the book reflects major scientific developments, hence special attention is given to terminology relating to molecular techniques and to terminology generated by recent initiatives in the study of biological diversity and global climate change. Inglés