Pergamon Biochemical Systemat& and Ecology, Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 341-342, 1995

Elsevier Science Ltd Printed in Great Britain

0305-1978/95 $9.50+0.00

0305-1978(95)OOOl&6

Book Reviews (Books for review should be sent to the Editor-in-Chief)

Methanogenesis: Ecology, Physiology, Biochemistry and Genetics. Edited by J. G. Ferry, Chapman & Hall, London, 1993, pp. 536+X. ISBN O-12-324686-5. f60.00

Over the last 30 years there has been an explosion of research into the methanogens, fuelled principally by a fascination with the structure, biochemistry and physiology of these unique bacteria. Recent interest in the biotechnological potential of methano- gens, and concern about increasing emissions to the atmosphere of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, have further focused research. Thus, the publication of this book, the first devoted exclusively to methanogenesis, is timely.

The title promises to discuss the ecology, physiology, biochemistry and genetics of methanogens. On first examination of the contents of the 12 chapters, the title is misleading, with five chapters devoted to biochemistry, three to biosynthesis, one to genetics and three to microbiology, of which only one, by Zinder, is devoted to the ecology of methanogens.

This chapter, however, spans 79 pages, providing over 300 references, and covers most aspects of the ecology of methanogens, such as physiological adaptations to the environment, methods used to study methanogens in natural habitats, global methane emissions, microbial interactions and biotechnological uses for mixed microbial methanogenic associations. As a researcher with a particular interest in methane production in landfill sites, which is estimated to account for over 24% of atmospheric methane emissions in the U.K., I was disappointed to find no mention of landfill methanogenesis. Overall, however, this is a fascinating and well-written chapter, giving a taster of the ubiquity of these highly anaerobic bacteria in what is still thought of by many microbiologists as a predominantly aerobic world.

Other chapters are of an equally high standard, as might be expected with chapters which include contributions by eminent veterans of this research field, such as Boone, Ferry, Got&chalk, Thauer, Vogels and Wolfe. For anyone working in this research area, this book is an essential purchase, to be placed on the desk for easy reference, rather than the bookshelf.

IRENE WATSON-CRAIK Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology

University of Strathclyde Glasgow

U.K.

Fungal Ecology, N. J. Dix and J. Webster. Chapman & Hall, London, 1995, pp. 549fix. ISBN O-412-22960-9. f65.00.

Because they do not cause major diseases in temperate climates, it is easy to under- estimate the importance and abundance of fungi. However, as this book illustrates so clearly, their role in recycling plant and animal materials in natural environments is second to none. All those concerned with recycling and conservation should be made

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342 BOOK REVIEWS

aware of the role that fungi can play in this area both in the industrial and the commer- cial environment.

It is pleasing that two such experienced mycologists should have taken the time to distill their knowledge into such a readable book (containing some excellent illustra- tions and diagrams). It includes a good general introduction on the principles of fungal ecology followed by a series of chapters on the colonisation of different habitats. Topics covered include decomposition of leaves and herbaceous stems, colonisation and decay of wood, soil and the rhisosphere, dung, aqueous environments, nematodes and extreme environments. There is also a special chapter on fungi which grow in environments which have been subject to fire, the phenicoid fungi. I particu- larly enjoyed the chapter on wood decay macrofungi and catching up on the fascinat- ing update on work carried out over the past two decades on the colonisation patterns of logs.

The presence of 98 pages of references gives some indication of the scholarship of this work. If I have to make a criticism of the book, it is that they have for good reasons left out several areas of investigation which must be considered central to fungal ecology, namely, phytopathology and fungal-animal interactions. Whilst I can under- stand the reasons for doing this, they are to some extent devaluing the discipline. In these times when organically grown food is in the supermarket, to ignore plant pathogens and their control, is to ignore the contribution a study of the ecology of these organisms could make to the development of novel approaches to biological control.

Overall the approach of the book is largely descriptive at a time when perhaps many ecological questions should be posed in terms of physiological and genetic problems. However, it remains a book which should stimulate the reader and entice a new gener- ation of students into mycological research.

DAVID R. BERRY Chairman, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology

University of Strathclyde Glasgow

U.K.