Essentials of Ecology presents introductory ecology in an accessible, state-of-the-art format designed to cultivate the novice student's understanding of and fascination with the natural world. In a concise, engaging style, this text outlines the essential principles of ecology from the theoretical fundamentals to their practical applications. Full color artwork, simple pedagogical features and a wide range of carefully-chosen examples make this book an ideal introduction to ecology for students at all levels.

InhaltsangabePart I Introduction 1 Ecology and how to do it 2 Ecology's evolutionary backdrop Part II Conditions and Resources 3 Physical conditions and the availability of resources 4 Climate and the world's biomes Part III Individuals and Populations, Communities and Ecosystems 5 Birth, death and movement 6 Interspecific competition 7 Predation, grazing and disease 8 Molecular and evolutionary ecology Part IV Communities and Ecosystems 9 From populations to communities 10 Patterns in species richness 11 The flux of energy and matter through ecosystems Part V Applied Issues in Ecology 12 Global biogeochemical cycles and their alteration by humans 13 Conservation ecology 14 The ecology of human population growth, disease, and food supply