Eos,Vol. 81, No. 14, April 4,2000 transfer, with a page or two on each). One exception reflects a strong geocentric bias: there is not one word in the main text on magnetospheres and ionospheres of other planets and their interaction with the solar wind (they are mentioned in a few problems). The other exception: the chapter on the ter restrial magnetosphere lacks a systematic exposition of the theory of magnetosphereionosphere coupling. Consistent with the author's aim "to empha size the fundamental physical processes and not the morphology of the various phenome na," the treatment is mathematical rather than descriptive throughout. It is aimed at the seri ous student who has a good background in traditional classical physics together with
facility in handling both its conceptual and its mathematical aspects. The exceptionally broad range of topics covered in a little over 300 pages means that almost everything important is dealt with, but perhaps somewhat superficially. Fundamentals are well presented; subtle distinctions (e.g., differ ent ways of defining pressures in multiplespecies plasmas, or dis-tinct but equivalent forms of the generalized Ohm's law) are sometimes neglected. There is a good bibliography of textbooks and monographs. References in the text to pub lished papers serve mainly to acknowledge sources of figures.The book is well produced. There are a few obvious misspellings, but I found only one serious mistake (whether
author's or printer's is not clear) in problem 13.3. Regrettably,"superthermal" is consistently used instead of the correct "suprathermal." In summary, this is a significant addition to the textbook literature. It will be particularly valuable to the graduate student who wants to acquire broad knowledge of the entire field. For the mature researcher, it will probably con tribute little within one's own narrow specialty but it should prove valuable if one wants to learn more about other related areas. Reviewer Vytenis M. Vasyliiinas Max-Planck-Institut fur Aeronomie, KatlenburgLindau, Germany
ABOUT A G U JGR-Planets Wins Best Issue Award PAGE 147 The April 25,1999, issue of JGR-Planets was named the Best Single Issue in Science/Tech nology/Medicine by the Professional/Scholar ly Publishing Division of the Association of American Publishers.The award was present ed at the Division's annual meeting in Febru ary in Washington, D.C. Featured was a special section on the Mars Pathfinder.The mission resulted in a significant volume of data in several areas, and the papers in the issue were the first detailed treatment of
the mission in the literature. JGR-Planets com peted against commercial publishers, including Blackwell's and Elsevier, university presses, including Cambridge University Press and MIT Press, as well as associations, including the American Chemical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Credit is due to former and present Editors, Bruce Jakosky and Paul Lucey respectively, who together oversaw production of the issue, and to issue organizer, Matt Golembek of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and others who contributed to this issue.
Best Single Issue of a journal Scierfce/Technology/Meclieme f
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Anierfcp Geophysical Union For: joiinm!^t Geophysical Research (PiaM&ih,Vol 104 No. £4 ; Paul G. ipoey. Editor J>f < w
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New Focus on Biogeosciences PAGE 147 At the 1999 Fall Meeting the AGU Council voted to create a new section called Biogeo sciences. This vote is the first of two Council votes required to change the bylaws by adding the new section name (see £bs,Vol.81,No. 13, March 28,2000).The second vote may be taken as early as the 2000 Spring Meeting. Biogeosciences is currently a technical committee that serves as an organizational structure for current and new members to participate in meeting sessions and other activ ities. This section will explore the coupling of biological and geophysical processes to devel op a more complete and fundamental under standing of the Earth and other planets. It is now widely recognized that the understanding of the Earth system can only be achieved by
consideration of the role of biological agents and processes and interactions with geophysi cal and geochemical processes. The integration of biological sciences with geophysical sciences through the Biogeo sciences section will allow the AGU commu nity to address issues of anthropogenic per turbations of ecosystems, climate, surface processes, and hydrology at regional and global scales, and to more fully participate in the interactions between science and public policy that will be critical in the future. All AGU members are encouraged to let colleagues in biological sciences know of the opportunities in biogeosciences at AGU. Key research areas that will be fostered include aquatic, terrestrial, and marine biogeochemistry; biogeophysics and remote sensing of land/sea surface conditions; the
transport and dispersion of biota and solutes; astrobiology; paleobiology; major extinctions and radiations; landscape ecology and deser tification; seascape ecology; bioremediation; subsurface ecosystems; ecosystem resources; and many others. Now is the time to indicate your interest in this exciting initiative.You can contribute to the program planning and development of biogeoscience sessions in AGU meetings or participate in organizing a Chapman confer ence on a specific topic of interest to scien tists. Join the list of scientists who wish to keep abreast of current research activities in Biogeosciences by affiliation with the committee. Send a message including your name, address, institution, telephone number, and area of interest to
[email protected].
Diane McKnight Biogeosciences Committee Chair
