Ecology: From Individuals to Ecosystems, 4th Edition

by Michael Begon (University of Liverpool); Colin R. Townsend (University of Otago); John L. Harper (University of Exeter)

• ISBN13: 9781405151986
• ISBN10: 1405151986
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2009-02-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Begon, Townsend, and Harper's Ecology has long been regarded as the definitive textbook on all aspects of ecology. This new edition provides a comprehensive treatment of the subject, from the first principles of ecology to the current state of the field, and aims to improve students' preparedness to address the environmental problems of the new millennium.Thoroughly revised and updated, this fourth edition includes: three new chapters on applied ecology, reflecting a rigorous, scientific approach to the ecological problems now facing mankind discussion of over 800 new studies, updating the text throughout an updated, user-friendly design with margin notes and chapter summaries that serve as study aids dedicated website at www.blackwellpublishing.com/begonThe resulting textbook is easy to use, lucid and up-to-date, and is the essential reference for all students whose degree program includes ecology and for practicing ecologists.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Organisms

Organisms in their environments: the evolutionary backdrop

Conditions

Resources

Life, death and life histories

Intraspecific competition

Dispersal, dormancy and metapopulations

Ecological applications at the level of organisms and single-species populations

Species Interactions

Interspecific competition

The nature of predation

The population dynamics of predation

Decomposers and detritivores

Parasitism and disease

Symbiosis and mutualism

Abundance

Ecological applications at the level of population interactions

Communities And Ecosystems

The nature of the community

The flux of energy through ecosystems

The flux of matter through ecosystems

The influence of population interactions on community structure

Food webs

Patterns in species richness

Ecological applications at the level of communities and ecosystems

References

Organism Index

Subject Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.