Peter A. Henderson is Director of Pisces Conservation Ltd, an independent ecological consultancy and software house based in Southampton, UK. In addition, he lectures and holds the position of Senior Research Associate in the Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, UK. He is an ecological consultant and research scientist with 40 years' experience combining theoretical, applied, and field research, with extensive experience of the management of major ecological assessment projects including preparation and presentation of material for public enquires and liaising with conservation bodies and engineers. Projects he has undertaken include conservation planning for large tropical nature reserves, ecological effects studies of nuclear power station intakes, conservation studies of rare freshwater life and effects of climate change and drought. Sir Richard Southwood (1931-2005) was a British biologist, Professor of Zoology and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, UK. The title of the 5th edition honours his memory as the original author of this landmark textbook, the original edition of which was first published in 1965.