A great number of scientific concepts are packed into this small volume that explores the connections between all things living and nonliving on Earth and how plants, animals, and humans depend on each other for survival. The terminology will be new to many readers, including the words in the title, as well as names such as mutualism, chemosynthesis, taiga, and secondary succession. But Davis shows and tells how the concepts work, including food chains, poison webs, and energy pyramids. Illustrations include beautiful color photos of predators and prey, rain forests, and polluting traffic as well as clear, detailed diagrams that explain a pond food web and other crucial connections. Teachers will want this overview for classroom discussion, and so will serious conservationists, who will be inspired by the close-up accounts of those who make a difference. Part of the Gareth Stevens Vital Science: Earth Science series, this includes a glossary and brief bibliography of books and Web sites.