Shallow subterranean habitats (SSHs) are areas of habitable space that are less than 10 m in depth from the surface. These range from large areas such as shallow caves and lava tubes, to tiny areas such as cracks in ceilings, or spaces in soil. Whilst being very different in many ways, they are often bound together by shared characteristics of the habitats and their faunas, and their study can help us to understand subterranean habitats in general. This book concentrates on the more typical SSHs of intermediate size (seepage springs, spaces between rocks, cracks in lava etc.), describing the habitats, their fauna, and the ecological and evolutionary questions posed. Similarities and differences between the habitats are considered and discussed in a broader ecological and evolutionary context. The book is mainly aimed at students and researchers in the field of subterranean biology, but will also be of interest to a wider range of ecologists, evolutionary biologists, freshwater biologists, and conservationists. There will also be an audience of environmental professionals.
Pioneering is uncommon in any area of contemporary science, and that has skillfully been completed by Culver and Pipan's book. They harmoniously succeed in a thorough presentation in never-overwhelming details of the Shallow Subterraneous Habitats ... This is a fine, illustrated work that offers a broad perspective about a vast new world, the fascinating SSH, never treated as exclusively as deserved, and as they were in this excellent book, entirely dedicated to them. * Valeria da C. Tavares, Quarterly Review of Biology * This book will surely captivate people interested in saving biodiversity. The authors present the problem of SSH fauna management and conservation from at least 2 points of view: ecosystem services and intrinsic and indicator value. The less expert reader should not be deterred by the highly interdisciplinary approach the authors take; a short glossary explains the most difficult or unusual terms related to the subterranean life and habitat geomorphology. * Pietro Brandmayr, Conservation Biology * Shallow Subterranean Habitats is a well-researched and well-written book that offers readers a wealth of information about a relatively poorly known ecological domain * Danny A. Brass, National Speleological Society * [T]his book is well-written and very professional * Thomas L. Poulson, Journal of Cave and Karst Studies *
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