There is an incredible diversity of life on earth, from microscopic, single-celled organisms to giant redwoods and blue whales.The Kingfisher Illustrated Nature Encyclopedia is an authoritative and beautifully illustrated guide for the whole family to our world and its inhabitants - both flora and fauna.

 This stunning profile of our planet"s plant and animal life is illustrated by superb photographs of many of the world"s most fascinating species.

 The first section guides the reader through the formation of the planet,the beginning of life, evolution, and animal and plant life today. The second section introduces the kingdoms of life on the planet, from microlife to the largest species. The main section takes a detailed look at the world"s wildlife habitats, with special features about particular species such as the Alpine marmot in its mountain habitat, the black woodpecker of coniferous forests and the reindeer moss that sustains those hardy animals on the icy tundra. This is a book that illuminates, informs and takes the reader"s breath away-it is a book to treasure.

Introduction

PART 1 A PLANET APART

Introducing the earth

How the earth formed

How life began

The biosphere 1

The biosphere 2

The world of water

Living on land

Energy for life

Changing climate

Seasons and weather

Dealing with disaster

The evolution of life

Timeline of life 1

Timeline of life 2

How evolution works 1

How evolution works 2

Genes and DNA

Adapting to survive 1

Adapting to survive 2

Shared solutions

Extinction

Wildlife under threat

Back from the brink

PART 2 THE LIVING WORLD

Kingdoms of life

Classifying living things

Microlife

Bacteria

Viruses

Protozoans

Algae

Fungi

How fungi feed

How fungi reproduce

Fungi and animals

Fungi and plants

Plants

Living on light

Leaves

Flowers

Pollination

Flowerheads

Seeds and fruit

Seeds on the move

Plants without flowers

Plant life cycles

Trees

How trees grow

Plant defences

Carnivorous plants

Passengers and parasites

Animals

Shapes and skeletons

Breathing

How animals move

Gliding and flying

Animal senses 1

Animal senses 2

Plant-eaters

Predators

Scavengers

Animal defences

Partners and parasites

Animal reproduction

Starting life

Growing up

Instinct and learning

Living in a group

Animal architects

Ecology

Homes and habitats

Living together

Food chains and webs

PART 3 WILDLIFE HABITATS

Biomes of the world

Arctic and tundra

Antarctica

Deserts

Grasslands and savanna

Shrublands

Temperate forests

Coniferous forests

Tropical forests

Rivers, lakes and wetlands

Mountains and caves

Oceans

Coasts

Coral reefs

Towns and cities

REFERENCE

Glossary

Websites

Index

Acknowledgements