"This accessible primer addresses important but neglected questions: How do climate variations shape life on land and in the sea? And how in turn does life influence climate? Bridging traditional disciplines, this book will make a good addition to undergraduate and introductory graduate courses in environmental and Earth System science."--Scott Doney, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

"The role of the biosphere in the Earth Climate System is of course a big topic. Rather than addressing it with a sea of equations, graphs, and references, Schimel gives an insightful description of the system's controls, connections, interactions, and feedbacks. Reading this book is like sitting around a campfire with your favorite mentor rather than sitting in a lecture hall."--Steven W. Running, University of Montana and Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group

"Predicting how land and ocean ecosystems will respond to and influence future climate change is incredibly difficult. This timely book explains why in ways that acknowledge complexity while remaining accessible to the nonspecialist. Because it juxtaposes climate-ecosystem interactions in the ocean and on land, the book has something to teach everyone."--Susan Trumbore, Max-Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry

"This compelling book provides an excellent summary of the interactions between ecosystems and climate. Schimel writes in an interesting way and has a great perspective and a broad base of knowledge to share. And he does a particular service by emphasizing that living organisms shape their geochemical environment."--Richard Houghton, Woods Hole Research Center