As part of the Ecological Methods and Concepts series which provides the latest information on experimental techniques in ecology, this book looks at a wide range of techniques that use natural abundance isotopes to:

• follow whole ecosystem element cycling
  
• understand processes of soil organic matter formation
  
• follow the movement of water in whole watersheds
  
• understand the effects of pollution in both terrestrial and aquatic environments
  
• study extreme systems such as hydrothermal vents
  
• follow migrating organisms

In each case, the book explains the background to the methodology, looks at the underlying principles and assumptions, and outlines the potential limitations and pitfalls.