Ecology: Concepts and Applications

by Molles, Manuel

• ISBN13: 9780073309767
• ISBN10: 0073309761
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-09-22
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math

Summary

This introductory general ecology text features a strong emphasis on helping students grasp the main concepts of ecology while keeping the presentation more applied than theoretical. An evolutionary perspective forms the foundation of the entire discussion. The book begins with the natural history of the planet, considers portions of the whole in the middle chapters, and ends with another perspective of the entire planet in the concluding chapter. Its unique organization of focusing only on several key concepts in each chapter sets it apart from the competition.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction: What Is Ecology?

Section I: Natural History

Chapter 2: Life on Land

Chapter 3: Life in Water

Section II: Individuals

Chapter 4: Temperature Relations

Chapter 5: Water Relations

Chapter 6: Energy and Nutrient Relations

Chapter 7: Social Relations

Section III: Population Ecology

Chapter 8: Population Genetics and Natural Selection

Chapter 9: Population Distribution and Abundance

Chapter 10: Population Dynamics

Chapter 11: Population Growth

Chapter 12: Life Histories

Section IV: Interactions

Chapter 13: Competition

Chapter 14: Exploitative Interactions: Predation, Herbivory, Parasitism, and Disease

Chapter 15: Mutualism

Section V: Communities and Ecosystems

Chapter 16: Species Abundance and Diversity

Chapter 17: Species Interactions and Community Structure

Chapter 18: Primary Production and Energy Flow

Chapter 19: Nutrient Cycling and Retention

Chapter 20: Succession and Stability

Section VI: Large-Scale Ecology

Chapter 21: Landscape Ecology

Chapter 22: Geographic Ecology

Chapter 23: Global Ecology