This book covers the proceedings of a life sciences seminar held in 1995. The first section groups together papers concerned with processes of disturbance and recovery. These span natural processes such as floods and grazing competition from introduced species, and artificial processes caused by pollution, deforestation and aquaculture. The second section is concerned with restoration and management of disturbed ecosystems. A range of subject areas such as sea floor dredging, river drainage and mine tip restoration are dealt with. Practical management goals are proposed for issues such as trampling by tourists.