From icy poles to arid deserts, boiling pools to the depths of the sea, this exciting new work studies the remarkable life forms that have made these inhospitable environments their home. The ecological, biological and biogeochemical challenges that higher-level plants and animals, microorganisms and viruses face are detailed, and the unifying themes found between environments discussed. A fascinating and comprehensive resource for researchers and students, this book is packed with colour figures and photos showcasing the most extreme environments and the organisms that have adapted to live in them.