Ecology

This book offers a balance of subject matter emphasis, clearly presented concepts, and engaging, fresh examples to help students gain a clear and solid understanding of Ecology. Emphasis is placed on connections in nature and links to evolution.

1. Introduction: The Web of Life UNIT I. ORGANISMS AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT 2. The Physical Environment 3. The Biosphere 4. Coping with Environmental Variation: Water and Temperature 5. Coping with Environmental Variation: Energy and Nutrients 6. Evolution and Ecology UNIT II. POPULATIONS 7. Life History Analyses 8. Population Distribution and Abundance 9. Population Growth and Regulation 10. Population Dynamics UNIT III. INTERACTIONS AMONG ORGANISMS 11. Competition 12. Predation and Herbivory 13. Parasitism 14. Mutualism and Commensalism UNIT IV. COMMUNITIES 15. Nature of Communities 16. Change in Communities 17. Biogeography and History 18. Species Diversity UNIT V. ECOSYSTEMS 19. Production 20. Energy Flow and Food Webs 21. Nutrient Supply and Cycling UNIT VI. APPLIED AND LARGE-SCALE ECOLOGY 22. Conservation Biology 23. Landscape Ecology and Ecosystem Management 24. Global Ecology