This book provides a synthesis of methods and instrumentation needed to conduct research on the various structural and functional components of forest and grassland ecosystems. It is a compilation of cooperative research presently being conducted in Soiling, West Germany, as one of the first comprehensive pilot projects under the International Biological Program.
Mr. Ellenberg's introductory comments provide insight into the need and scope of such research and the problems involved in utilizing the efforts of many scientists. Of special interest was the division of research areas into experimental quadrats which were then randomly assigned to research projects dealing with different ecosystem components. This should allow intensive study of the same ecosystem by many sciei~tists with a minimum of interference.
The rest of the book is about equally divided among research projects dealing with primary production, secondary production and environmental factors. Each project includes a good discussion of methodology and instrumentation. However, the inclusion of similar discussions on other projects listed as being in progress would have increased the value of this book.
This book should be useful to scientists contemplating or involved in team research. Its most valuable contribution is its compilation of various methods and instrumentation needed for comprehensive analysis of ecosystems.