Essentials of Ecology [Paperback]

Essentials of Ecology, 4th Edition presents introductory ecology in an accessible, state-of-the-art format designed to cultivate the novice student's understanding of, and fascination with, the natural world. This new edition has been updated throughout, with new, full-color illustrations, and comes with an accompanying website with downloadable illustrations, multiple-choice questions, and interactive models.

Part I Introduction

1 Ecology and how to do it

2 Ecology’s evolutionary backdrop

Part II Conditions and Resources

3 Physical conditions and the availability of resources

4 Climate and the world’s biomes

Part III Individuals and Populations, Communities and Ecosystems

5 Birth, death and movement

6 Interspecific competition

7 Predation, grazing and disease

8 Molecular and evolutionary ecology

Part IV Communities and Ecosystems

9 From populations to communities

10 Patterns in species richness

11 The flux of energy and matter through ecosystems

Part V Applied Issues in Ecology

12 Global biogeochemical cycles and their alteration by humans

13 Conservation ecology

14 The ecology of human population growth, disease, and food supply

Colin R. Townsend is the Director ofló$