From deep ocean trenches and the geographical poles to outer space, organisms can be found living in remarkably extreme conditions. This book provides a captivating account of these systems and their extraordinary inhabitants, 'extremophiles'. A diverse, multidisciplinary group of experts discuss responses and adaptations to change; biodiversity, bioenergetic processes, and biotic and abiotic interactions; polar environments; and life and habitability, including searching for biosignatures in the extraterrestrial environment. The editors emphasize that understanding these systems is important for increasing our knowledge and utilizing their potential, but this remains an understudied area. Given the threat to these environments and their biota caused by climate change and human impact, this timely book also addresses the urgency to document these systems. It will help graduate students and researchers in conservation, marine biology, evolutionary biology, environmental change and astrobiology better understand how life exists in these environments and their susceptibility or resilience to change.

‘… the volume establishes a baseline for this new field of study in which the relevant environments have only recently become accessible but face significant threats from climate change and human actions.’

L. S. Zipp Source: Choice

‘… the volume is interesting, stimulating, and thought-provoking. It points toward many important and potentially useful directions for both basic and applied research. The technical level at which most chapters are written will probably limit their accessibility to general audiences. The two chapters on astrobiology will appeal to anyone interested in space exploration.’

Malcolm S. Gordon Source: The Quarterly Review of Biology