Ecology: Theories and Applications

by Stiling, Peter

• ISBN13: 9780130911025
• ISBN10: 013091102X
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Pearson College Div

Summary

Presents a comprehensive, yet concise and clear, overview of ecology--evolutionary, behavioral, population, community and applied. TheThird Edition retains a broad scope and completely integrates the applied sections into the theories of ecology -- showing how the theories are applied in the real world. Emphasizes critical thinking and problem solving. Discusses what is currently known about a topic as well as what is yet unknown--emphasizing that future study in the discipline can lead to important contributions. Completely new first chapter, introduction--Discusses the four main sections of the book: behavioral, population, community, and ecosystems ecology. Expanded coverage of behavioral and ecosystems ecology includes a new chapter which features sections on mating systems, sex ratios, habitat selection, dispersal and age structure. Includes discussions on energy flow; features a new, independent chapter for nutrient cycles; separate chapters on species richness, diversity, stability, succession and biogeography. Discusses non-equilibrium theories in coverage of stability and touches on cluster analysis and ordination in discussion of diversity. Broad discussion of evolutionary biology to put conservation and biodiversity in perspective. For ecolgists and environmental scientists.

Author Biography

Peter Stiling is a professor of biology at the University of South Florida at Tampa

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
SECTION ONE Introduction	1	(64)
Why and How to Study Ecology	2	(18)
What Is Ecology?	2	(8)
Behavioral Ecology	7	(1)
Population Ecology	8	(1)
Community Ecology	8	(2)
Ecosystems Ecology	10	(1)
Ecological Methods	10	(6)
Spatial Scale	16	(4)
Applied Ecology
The Value of the World's Natural Services	4	(14)
Summary	18	(1)
Discussion Questions	18	(2)
SECTION TWO Evolution and Behavioral Ecology
Genetics and Ecology	20	(10)
Evolutionary History	20	(1)
Genetic Mutation	21	(1)
Measuring Genetic Variation	22	(2)
Genetic Variation and Population Size	24	(6)
Inbreeding	24	(2)
Genetic Drift	26	(1)
Neighborhoods and Effective Population Size	27
Applied Ecology
Can Cloning Help Save Endangered Species?	23	(6)
Summary	29	(1)
Discussion Questions	29	(1)
Extinction	30	(12)
The Extinction Crisis	30	(1)
Patterns of Extinction	31	(3)
Endangered Species	34	(5)
Species Characteristics and Extinction	39	(3)
Summary	41	(1)
Discussion Questions	41	(1)
Group Selection and Individual Selection	42	(12)
Group and Individual Selection	42	(2)
Altruism	44	(5)
Kin Selection	45	(2)
Altruism between Unrelated Individuals	47	(1)
Altruism in Social Insects	47	(2)
Group Living	49	(5)
The ``Many-Eyes'' Hypothesis	50	(1)
The Selfish-Herd Theory	50
Applied Ecology
The Tragedy of the Commons	45	(7)
Summary	52	(1)
Discussion Questions	53	(1)
Life History Strategies	54	(11)
Reproductive Strategies	54	(1)
Age Structure	55	(1)
Mating Systems	56	(3)
Polygyny	57	(2)
Polyandry	59	(1)
Life History Strategies	59	(6)
Applied Ecology
Life Histories and Risk of Extinction	61	(2)
Summary	63	(1)
Discussion Questions	64	(1)
SECTION THREE Population Ecology	65	(162)
Population Growth	66	(23)
Life Tables	66	(6)
Age-Specific Life Tables Follow an Entire Cohort of Individuals from Birth to Death	70	(2)
Reproductive Rate	72	(2)
Deterministic Models: Geometric Growth	74	(15)
Human Population Growth	76	(2)
Overlapping Generations	78	(2)
Logistic Growth Occurs in Populations in Which Resources are or Can Be Limiting	80	(5)
Stochastic Models	85
Applied Ecology
Human Population Growth and the Use of Contraceptives	78	(10)
Summary	88	(1)
Discussion Questions	88	(1)
Physical Environment	89	(19)
Physical Variables	89	(14)
Temperature	89	(4)
High Temperatures	93	(1)
Fires	94	(1)
Global Warming	94	(4)
Computer Models and Predictions	98	(1)
The Environmental Impact of Global Warming	98	(1)
Natural Ecosystems	98	(3)
Wind	101	(1)
Salt	102	(1)
PH	102	(1)
Water	102	(1)
Physical Factors and Species Abundance	103	(2)
Physical Factors and Numbers of Species	105	(3)
Applied Ecology
Diseases and Global Climate Change	100	(7)
Summary	107	(1)
Discussion Questions	107	(1)
Competition and Coexistence	108	(27)
Species Interaction	109	(1)
Intraspecific Competition	110	(2)
Interspecific Competition: Laboratory Experiments	112	(5)
Interspecific Competition: Natural Systems	114	(3)
The Frequency of Competition	117	(5)
Modeling Competition	122	(5)
Coexistence of Species	127	(8)
Applied Ecology
Is the Release of Multiple Species of Biological Control Agents Beneficial?	114	(2)
The Effects of Exotic Competitors on Native Fauna	116	(2)
Profiles
Joe Connell, University of California, Santa Barbara	118	(15)
Summary	133	(1)
Discussion Questions	134	(1)
Mutualism	135	(15)
Plant-Pollinator Mutualism	135	(3)
Seed Dispersal	138	(2)
A Variety of Mutualisms	140	(4)
Mutualisms and Resources	140	(1)
Mutualism and Protection from Natural Enemies	141	(1)
Mutualism and Herbivory	142	(1)
Obligate Mutualism	143	(1)
Modeling Mutualism	144	(1)
Mutualisms and Community Process	145	(2)
Commensalism	147	(3)
Applied Ecology
Humans in Mutualistic Relationships	136	(3)
Profiles
Judith Bronstein, University of Arizona	139	(10)
Summary	149	(1)
Discussion Questions	149	(1)
Predation	150	(20)
Antipredator Adaptations	151	(4)
Predator-Prey Models	155	(5)
Functional Response	158	(2)
Field Studies of Predator-Prey Interactions	160	(3)
Introduced Predators	163	(3)
Field Experiments with Natural Systems	166	(4)
Applied Ecology
The Maximum-Sustainable-Yield Problem	159	(6)
Humans as Predators-Whaling	165
Profiles
Rick Karban, University California Davis	154	(14)
Andrew Sih, University of Kentucky	168	(1)
Summary	169	(1)
Discussion Questions	169	(1)
Herbivory	170	(19)
Plant Defenses	170	(8)
Modeling Herbivory	178	(2)
Effects of Herbivores on Plants	180	(4)
Removal Experiments	181	(1)
Biological Control	182	(1)
Beneficial Herbivory	183	(1)
Effects of Plants on Herbivores	184	(3)
Herbivory Affects Community Structure	187	(2)
Applied Ecology
Secondary Chemicals and Medicinal Uses	174	(11)
Pest Control	185	(3)
Summary	188	(1)
Discussion Questions	188	(1)
Parasitism	189	(17)
Defining Parasites	189	(5)
Defense against Parasites	194	(2)
Modeling Parasitism	196	(1)
Parasites Affect Host Populations	197	(5)
Natural Systems	200	(2)
Parasites Affect Communities	202	(1)
Parasites and Biological Control	203	(3)
Applied Ecology
Diseases and the World's Top 10 Killers	195
Profiles
Janice Moore, Colorado State University	192	(13)
Summary	205	(1)
Discussion Questions	205	(1)
Evaluating the Controls on Population Size	206	(21)
Comparing the Strengths of Mortality Factors	207	(6)
Key Factors	207	(6)
Density Dependence	213	(4)
Metapopulations	217	(4)
Conceptual Models of Population Control	221	(6)
Bottom-Up Factors, or Trophodynamics	221	(1)
Top-Down Factors	221	(2)
Environmental Stress	223
Profiles
Susan Harrison, University of California, Davis	218	(6)
Mark Hunter, University of Georgia	224	(1)
Summary	225	(1)
Discussion Questions	225	(2)
SECTION FOUR Community Ecology	227	(108)
The Main Types of Communities	228	(21)
Are Communities More than the Organisms They Comprise?	228	(2)
Climate and Community Structure	230	(6)
Classification of Communities	236	(1)
Terrestrial Communities	237	(7)
Tropical Forests	237	(2)
Temperate Forests	239	(1)
Deserts	240	(2)
Grasslands	242	(1)
Taiga	242	(1)
Tundra	243	(1)
Other Biomes	243	(1)
Aquatic Communities	244	(5)
Marine Habitats	244	(1)
Freshwater	245
Applied Ecology
The Distribution of Threatened Species among Biomes	238	(10)
Summary	248	(1)
Discussion Questions	248	(1)
Global Patterns in Species Richness	249	(24)
Explanations of Species Richness Gradients	250	(8)
Biotic Explanations	252	(2)
Abiotic Theories	254	(4)
Community Similarity	258	(4)
Global Species Richness	262	(2)
Preserving Species Richness	264	(3)
Species Richness and Community Function	267	(6)
Applied Ecology
Loss in Species Richness Weakens Community Resistance to Invasion by Exotic Species	271
Profiles
Shahid Naeem, University of Washington	268	(4)
Summary	272	(1)
Discussion Questions	272	(1)
Species Diversity	273	(16)
Diversity Indices	273	(7)
Dominance Indices	275	(1)
Information-Statistic Indices	276	(1)
Shannon Index	276	(1)
Brillouin Index	276	(4)
Rank Abundance Diagrams	280	(4)
Community Similarity	284	(2)
Jaccard Coefficient	285	(1)
Sorensen Coefficient	285	(1)
Cluster Analysis	286	(3)
Applied Ecology
Weighting Biodiversity Indices: The Use of Ordinal Indices	279	(8)
Summary	287	(1)
Discussion Questions	288	(1)
Stability, Equilibrium, and Nonequilibrium	289	(14)
Community Stability	289	(3)
Is There a Link between Diversity and Stability?	292	(2)
Experimental Tests of the Diversity- Stability Hypothesis	294	(5)
Field Tests of the Diversity-Stability Hypothesis	296	(3)
The Intermediate-Disturbance Hypothesis	299	(4)
Applied Ecology
Can Marine Communities Recover after Oil Spills?	293	(8)
Profiles
Sir Robert M. May, Oxford University	301	(1)
Summary	302	(1)
Discussion Questions	302	(1)
Succession	303	(15)
Development of Communities	304	(1)
Facilitation	305	(3)
Inhibition	308	(2)
Tolerance and Other Patterns of Succession	310	(2)
Patterns in Species Richness during Succession	312	(3)
Biotic Interactions and Succession	315	(3)
Applied Ecology
Restoration Ecology	313	(4)
Summary	317	(1)
Discussion Questions	317	(1)
Island Biogeography	318	(17)
Theory of Island Biogeography	319	(3)
Species-Area Effects	322	(6)
Oceanic Islands	322	(1)
Habitat ``Islands''	323	(2)
Species as Islands	325	(3)
The Effect of Distance on Island Immigration	328	(2)
Species Turnover	330	(5)
Applied Ecology
The Theory of National Park Design	332	(1)
Summary	333	(1)
Discussion Questions	333	(2)
SECTION FIVE Ecosystems Ecology	335	(38)
Trophic Structure	336	(12)
Food Web Complexity	336	(2)
Food Web Patterns	338	(2)
Problems with Food Web Patterns	340	(1)
Guilds	341	(3)
Patterns Found in Guild Analysis	343	(1)
Keystone Species	344	(4)
Summary	347	(1)
Discussion Questions	347	(1)
Energy Flow	348	(12)
Measuring Production	348	(2)
Limits to Primary Production	350	(4)
Aquatic Systems	352	(2)
Patterns in Primary Production	354	(1)
Efficiency of Primary Production	354	(1)
Global Distribution of Primary Production	355	(1)
Secondary Production	355	(3)
Efficiency of Secondary Production	355	(3)
The Limits to Secondary Production	358	(1)
Applied Ecology
Biomass Fuels	356	(3)
Summary	359	(1)
Discussion Questions	359	(1)
Nutrients	360	(13)
Soils	360	(5)
Nutrient Availability	365	(4)
The Nutrient Recovery Hypothesis	368	(1)
Light	369	(1)
Organismal Effects on Nutrient Availability	370	(1)
Applied Ecology
Food Webs and the Passage of Pesticides	366	(5)
Summary	371	(1)
Discussion Questions	371	(2)
Glossary	373	(7)
Literature Cited	380	(11)
Photo Credits	391	(2)
Index	393

Excerpts

Preface Ecology is a fascinating science. It is the most valuable discipline for learning what causes the distribution of plants and animals on Earth. Knowledge of ecology is vital in taking conservation measures and in attempting to restore the planet after the ravages of pollution. Ecology provides the conceptual framework upon which environmental science is built. Indeed, ecology is to environmental science as physics is to engineering. That is, an engineer cannot build a bridge without knowing the physical principles underlying its construction, and similarly, environmental scientists cannot understand the environment without a sound knowledge of ecological principles. Ecology is also a broad discipline. It borrows from many areas: from mathematics to build models of population growth, from physiology to understand how organisms live in their environments, from geology to understand soils, from chemistry to understand the chemical defenses of plants, and from genetics to understand the extinction of species. From all these fields, ecology has emerged as a science vital to the very preservation of our planet. Ecology is now a household word; this book will help you understand its every facet. The changes to the fourth edition are substantial. The introduction has been completely rewritten to introduce students to the disciplines of evolutionary and behavioral ecology, population ecology, community ecology, and ecosystems ecology, the four pillars upon which this book is built. The introduction also discusses the methods used in ecological studies, giving examples of how investigators proceed from observation through experimentation to analysis. The section on evolutionary and behavioral ecology has been completely stripped down and refocused on ecology. The population ecology section maintains its focus on factors affecting population growth, but more space has been allotted to mutualism and commensalism and to parasitism, in order to give balance to the chapters on competition and predation. The community ecology section has been simplified: Complex subjects such as ordination have been omitted, and the focus is now more on worked examples, using actual data sets. In the ecosystems section, I have again reworked all chapters. Here, Chapter 22, on nutrients, addresses the role of chemicals in the distribution of organisms and does not center on the nutrient cycles themselves. There have been many pedagogical changes. Each chapter starts with its ownRoad Map, set of brief statements that give a one-sentence outline of what each section in the chapter is about. Many of the tables and figures have been replaced and redrawn using voice balloons, so that the student is instantly alerted to the main point each graphic is making. Nearly 50% of the diagrams in this edition are new, in addition to the scores of new color photographs, each carefully chosen to illustrate a particular point raised in the text. The format of the chapters in the fourth edition remains similar to that of the last edition. Each chapter begins with an explanation of a concept, followed by examples well illustrated with data, figures, and tables. For example, in Chapter 13, a discussion of indispensable mortality is followed by how this concept relates to sea turtle conservation and how the protection of a few adult sea turtles may actually be much more profitable than protecting dozens of eggs on the beach. Following the examples is a synthesis of the preceding material in the section, with details of a review or a mathematical model, or both, that tell us where the preponderance of the evidence lies and which concept or theory is best supported. A summary at the end of the chapter reiterates the main points and should be a valuable study aid. Supplements Instructor's Resource CD-ROM(0-13-092639-6) andTransparency Acetates(0-13-061637-0). Prentice Hall's commitment to a four-c