The wonders of nature ore brought to life in this beautiful survey of the world's moin hobitots. No subject is more owe-inspiring, and in on age when the living world is increosingly threatened by human octivity, no subject: is more vitol to understand. The Kin qfisher Book of Living Worlds vividly illustrotes the complex relationships that exist between all species and their environments-fromlions on the Africon plains to giant tubeworms living in dorkness at the bottomof the oceon.

From the algae that survive in the Antarctic snows to the colossal trees of the rainforest, life covers the world. Every sea and continent has its own distinctive lifcforms, all perfectly adopted to their environment. The Kingfisher Book of Living Worlds celebrates this incredible diversity of nature, it reveals all the world's major habitats, including oceans,forests, deserts and the poles, and explores their amazing and delicate ecosystems.

The key factors that maintain the precarious balance of each ecosystem, such as food chains, adaptation and climate, ore oil clearly explained. Today, humans influence every habitat, from the local activities of tribes in New Guinea to the global impact of ever-expanding cities. Closely examining our impact for good and for ill, The Kinyfisher Book of Liviny Worlds is a fascinating picture of life on Earth, and a timely reminder of our responsibilities to safequard our planet.

Our living planet

Planet Earth

Plants

Animals

Ecosystems

Water

Seas and oceans

Coral reefs

Coasts and wetlands

Rivers and lakes

People and water

Rainforests

The forest floor

The canopy

Taiga forests

Temperate forests

People and forests

African grasslands

African predators

Temperate grasslands

People and grasslands

Deserts

Water of life

Surviving the heat

People and deserts

Polar reuions

The tundra

The Arctic ice

Antarctica

People and the poles

Islands

Islands

Large islands

Australian wildlife

People and islands

Human impact

Urban wildlife

A world transformed

The future