Ecology in Action

Integrates process and content of core areas of ecology using an engaging narrative, fascinating case studies, and stunning images throughout.

Fred D. Singer (Author)

9781107115378, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 10 March 2016

719 pages, 555 colour illus. 88 tables 408 exercises
28.3 x 22.2 x 3.8 cm, 2.2 kg

'Having used most of the 'standard' general ecology textbooks at one time or another (along with a few not so standard ones), I'm excited by this book. It is refreshing and interesting with unique examples and clean artwork that make for a relatively engaging read that I believe most students will enjoy. The inclusion of an assortment of end of chapter questions (along with others embedded in the text) that run the gamut from application to data analysis will give students practice and insight into both critical thinking and quantitative skills that most books do not. The end of unit chapters about practicing ecologists are fascinating and unique in my experience and can only serve to interest students in how 'real science' occurs.' Lynn Mahaffy, University of Delaware

Taking a fresh approach to integrating key concepts and research processes, this undergraduate textbook encourages students to develop an understanding of how ecologists raise and answer real-world questions. Four unique chapters describe the development and evolution of different research programs in each of ecology's core areas, showing students that research is undertaken by real people who are profoundly influenced by their social and political environments. Beginning with a case study to capture student interest, each chapter emphasizes the linkage between observations, ideas, questions, hypotheses, predictions, results, and conclusions. Discussion questions, integrated within the text, encourage active participation, and a range of end-of-chapter questions reinforce knowledge and encourage application of analytical and critical thinking skills to real ecological questions. Students are asked to analyze and interpret real data, with support from online tutorials demonstrating the R programming language for statistical analysis.

Preface
Acknowledgements
Part I. Introduction and the Physical Environment: 1. What is ecology in action?
2. The physical environment
Part II. Evolutionary and Organismal Ecology: 3. Evolution and adaptation
4. Physiological and evolutionary ecology of acquiring nutrients and energy
5. Physiological and evolutionary ecology of temperature and water relations
6. Behavioral ecology
7. Bernd Heinrich - studying adaptation in the field and the laboratory
Part III. Population Ecology: 8. Life history evolution
9. Distribution and dispersal
10. Population abundance and growth
11. Conservation ecology
12. The chimpanzees of Gombe
Part IV. Community Ecology: 13. Interspecific competition
14. Predation and other exploitative interactions
15. Facilitation
16. Complex interactions and food webs
17. Biological diversity and community stability
18. Dan Janzen and Winnie Hallwachs - community interactions and tropical restoration through biodiversity conservation
Part V. Ecosystem and Global Ecology: 19. Ecosystem structure and energy flow
20. Nutrient cycles: global, regional and local
21. Disturbance and succession
22. Geographic and landscape ecology
23. The carbon cycle and climate change ecology
24. Jane Lubchenco - from the marine intertidal to global service
25. Epilogue
Glossary
References
Figure and quotation credits
Index.

Subject Areas: Conservation of wildlife & habitats [RNKH], Conservation of the environment [RNK], Environmental management [RNF], Applied ecology [RNC], The environment [RN], Earth sciences, geography, environment, planning [R], Mathematics & science [P]