Introduction to Geobiology

About this book

Introduction to Geobiology is an introductionary overview on the novel and rapidly evolving scientific discipline geobiology. Geobiology studies Earth from both geological and biological perspective. Introduction to Geobiology covers the many facets of this research field, and underlines its potential for the exploration of the definition of life, the co-evolution of life and Earth, the appreciation of global environmental problems, and the detection of life in the universe. Introduction to Geobiology may serve the advanced reader as compass for future studies, and as guideline for instruction.

Contents

- Definition of Life
- Early Worlds of Earth
- Earth's Rocks Change: the Significance of Biominerals
- The Breath of Earth: The First Multicellular Organisms
- Life as Architect: The Invention of Shells
- Rise and Decline of Superorganisms
- Shaping Earth for Human Habitation
- Biotechnology: Blessing or Curse?
- Universal Life

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Biography

Nora Noffke is a leading expert in the novel field of geobiology. Her work has introduced the actualistic principle in the understanding of Earth's early evolution. As editor of several books and special issues, Noffke has supported the development of geobiology as a scientific discipline. She is co-founder of the Gordon Research Conference Geobiology. Nora Noffke is associate professor at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, USA, and Visiting Scholar at the Carnegie Institution in Washington, DC, USA.