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Elements of Ecology

Elements of Ecology

Author(s):
  • Thomas Smith
    • Author: Thomas Smith
    • ISBN:9789332536692
    • 10 Digit ISBN:9332536694
    • Price:Rs. 1310.00
    • Pages:688
    • Imprint:Pearson Education
    • Binding:Paperback
    • Status:Available


    Ratings:



    Known for its evolution theme and strong coverage of the relevance of ecology to everyday life and the human impact on ecosystems, the thoroughly revised Eighth Edition features refined quantitative exercises, a restructured chapter on life history, a thoroughly revised species interactions unit including a chapter introducing the subject, and a new chapter on species interactions. 

     

    To emphasize the dynamic and experimental nature of ecology, each chapter draws upon current research in the various fields of ecology while providing accessible examples that help students understand species natural history, specific ecosystems, the process of science, and ecological patterns at both an evolutionary and demographic scale.


     

    Table of Content

    1. The Nature of Ecology
     
    I. THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
    2. Climate
    3. The Aquatic Environment
    4. The Terrestrial Environment
     
    II. THE ORGANISM AND ITS ENVIRONMENT
    5. Ecological Genetics: Adaptation and Natural Selection
    6. Plant Adaptations to the Environment
    7. Animal Adaptations to the Environment
     
    III. POPULATIONS
    8. Properties of Populations
    9. Population Growth
    10. Life History
    11. Intraspecific Population Regulation
    12. Metapopulations
     
    IV. SPECIES INTERACTIONS
    13. Species Interactions, Population Dynamics and Natural Selection
    14. Interspecific Competition
    15. Predation
    16. Parasitism and Mutualism
     
    V. COMMUNITY ECOLOGY
    17. Community Structure
    18. Factors Influencing the Structure of Communities
    19. Community Dynamics
    20. Landscape Ecology
     
    VI. ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY
    21. Ecosystem Energetics
    22. Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling
    23. Biogeochemical Cycles
     
    VII. BIOGEOGRAPHICAL ECOLOGY
    24. Terrestrial Ecosystems
    25. Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems
    26. Land-Water Margins
    27. Large-scale Patterns of Biological Diversity
     
    VIII. HUMAN ECOLOGY
    28. Population Growth, Resource Use, and Sustainability
    29 Global Climate Change
     

    Salient Features

    • Interpreting Ecological Data exercises help students test their understanding of graphs and data and to consider different outcomes.
    • Quantifying Ecology boxes help students develop the quantitative skills they need to interpret ecological data, research, and models. Skills are reinforced by a set of follow-up questions and links to GRAPHit! and QUANTIFYit! on the companion website (www.ecologyplace.com).
    • Field Studies discuss ecological research performed by young up-and-coming scientists, and challenge students to interpret the results of the featured research.
    • Ecological Issues essays describe how humans influence the study of ecology. For example, the short essay "The Ecology of Antibiotic Resistance" discusses how antibiotic resistance is a result of natural selection. Each essay is followed by a set of critical thinking questions.
    • Engaging introductions give students a "big picture" overview of the coming chapters in each of the eight parts of the book, so they can understand how various topics interrelate.
    • Landscape Ecology chapter explores the role of disturbance in ecosystems.