The Branches of Ecology


Book Description

The ecological sciences are a diverse array of major scientific disciplines. They grew from minor sciences, with little status in 1900, and now occupy crucial areas of research bearing on the future of our planet. This book describes a century of growth and development. A dramatic century-long rise in the status of ecological knowledge was accompanied by the rise of professional ecological organizations, the establishment of university faculties, and the creation of government agencies advising on conservation, natural resources, and the prevention of pollution. Like all sciences, ecology continues to yield new findings and surprising revelations. New technologies now address existential challenges facing our world. This book, documenting the rise of ecology, is an inspiring history portending an important role in the twenty-first century. Key Features: The author is the acknowledged authority on the history of ecology The content is familiar to members of the Ecological Society of America but has not previously been assembled into a single narrative Appropriate for a course in the history of ecology Provides a broad perspective on ecology Related Titles: Egerton, F. N. A Centennial History of the Ecological Society of America (ISBN 978-0-3673-7763-2). Rieppel, O. Phylogenetic Systematics: Haeckel to Hennig (ISBN 978-0-3678-7645-6) Dronamraju, K. A Century of Geneticists: Mutation to Medicine (ISBN 978-1-4987-4866-7)




The Branches of Ecology


Book Description

"Ecology grew from a minor science, in 1900, into a major discipline in the 20th century. This book describes this development. A dramatic increase in ecological knowledge was accompanied by the formation of ecological professional societies. Universities added ecologists to their faculties. And governments acknowledged the need for ecologists to advise on conservation of natural resources and to combat pollution. Ecology is still growing as a discipline and many local, regional and global environmental problems remain to be studied. Just how ecologists rose to these challenges is an exciting and inspiring narrative, which is the theme of this book"--




The Theory of Ecology


Book Description

Despite claims to the contrary, the science of ecology has a long history of building theories. Many ecological theories are mathematical, computational, or statistical, though, and rarely have attempts been made to organize or extrapolate these models into broader theories. The Theory of Ecology brings together some of the most respected and creative theoretical ecologists of this era to advance a comprehensive, conceptual articulation of ecological theories. The contributors cover a wide range of topics, from ecological niche theory to population dynamic theory to island biogeography theory. Collectively, the chapters ably demonstrate how theory in ecology accounts for observations about the natural world and how models provide predictive understandings. It organizes these models into constitutive domains that highlight the strengths and weaknesses of ecological understanding. This book is a milestone in ecological theory and is certain to motivate future empirical and theoretical work in one of the most exciting and active domains of the life sciences.




Opportunities in Biology


Book Description

Biology has entered an era in which interdisciplinary cooperation is at an all-time high, practical applications follow basic discoveries more quickly than ever before, and new technologiesâ€"recombinant DNA, scanning tunneling microscopes, and moreâ€"are revolutionizing the way science is conducted. The potential for scientific breakthroughs with significant implications for society has never been greater. Opportunities in Biology reports on the state of the new biology, taking a detailed look at the disciplines of biology; examining the advances made in medicine, agriculture, and other fields; and pointing out promising research opportunities. Authored by an expert panel representing a variety of viewpoints, this volume also offers recommendations on how to meet the infrastructure needsâ€"for funding, effective information systems, and other supportâ€"of future biology research. Exploring what has been accomplished and what is on the horizon, Opportunities in Biology is an indispensable resource for students, teachers, and researchers in all subdisciplines of biology as well as for research administrators and those in funding agencies.




Fundamentals of Ecology


Book Description

The Fundamentals of ecology has all the characteristics of scientific explanation. It provides advanced students an insight into the rich and varied investigations on the modern concepts with particular reference to the Indian sub-continent. It is hoped that this attempt will shed some light on the expanding horizons, serious controversy and major concepts by opposing schools of thought and stimulate others to clarify the subject further.




Principles of Ecology


Book Description

Ecology is a branch of biology concerned with the study of interactions and interrelationships between organisms and their environment, as well as with other organisms. Ecosystems are vast systems of organisms, their communities, and the environmental factors that have an influence on these. Several processes control the flux of matter and energy through an environment, such as pedogenesis, nutrient cycling, primary production and niche construction. The study of ecology focuses on such processes, as well as ecological succession, distribution of organisms and biodiversity, among others. Ecosystems sustain life, regulate climate and produce economically crucial materials, such as biomass. The regulation of water filtration, erosion control, flood protection, global biogeochemical cycles, etc. is also sustained by the ecosystem. The book aims to shed light on some of the unexplored aspects of ecology. Some of the diverse topics covered in this book address the varied branches that fall under this category. It aims to serve as a resource guide for students and experts alike and contribute to the growth of the discipline.




Plant Disturbance Ecology


Book Description

Disturbance ecology continues to be an active area of research, having undergone advances in many areas in recent years. One emerging direction is the increased coupling of physical and ecological processes, in which disturbances are increasingly traced back to mechanisms that cause the disturbances themselves, such as earth surface processes, mesoscale, and larger meteorological processes, and the ecological effects of interest are increasingly physiological. Plant Disturbance Ecology, 2nd Edition encourages movement away from the informal, conceptual approach traditionally used in defining natural disturbances and clearly presents how scientists can use a multitude of approaches in plant disturbance ecology. This edition includes nine revised chapters from the first edition, as well new, more comprehensive chapters on fire disturbance and beaver disturbance. Edited by leading experts in the field, Plant Disturbance Ecology, 2nd Edition is an essential resource for scientists interested in understanding plant disturbance and ecological processes. - Advances understanding of natural disturbances by combining geophysical and ecological processes - Provides a framework for collaboration between geophysical scientists and ecologists studying natural disturbances - Includes fully updated research with 5 new chapters and revision of 11 chapters from the first edition




Concepts of Biology


Book Description

Black & white print. Concepts of Biology is designed for the typical introductory biology course for nonmajors, covering standard scope and sequence requirements. The text includes interesting applications and conveys the major themes of biology, with content that is meaningful and easy to understand. The book is designed to demonstrate biology concepts and to promote scientific literacy.




Unsolved Problems in Ecology


Book Description

"This volume provides a series of essays on open questions in ecology with the overarching goal being to outline to the most important, most interesting or most fundamental problems in ecology that need to be addressed. The contributions span ecological subfields, from behavioral ecology and population ecology to disease ecology and conservation and range in tone from the technical to more personal meditations on the state of the field. Many of the chapters start or end in moments of genuine curiosity, like one which takes up the question of why the world is green or another which asks what might come of a thought experiment in which we "turn-off" evolution entirely"--




Ecology


Book Description

A definitive guide to the depth and breadth of the ecological sciences, revised and updated The revised and updated fifth edition of Ecology: From Individuals to Ecosystems – now in full colour – offers students and practitioners a review of the ecological sciences. The previous editions of this book earned the authors the prestigious ‘Exceptional Life-time Achievement Award’ of the British Ecological Society – the aim for the fifth edition is not only to maintain standards but indeed to enhance its coverage of Ecology. In the first edition, 34 years ago, it seemed acceptable for ecologists to hold a comfortable, objective, not to say aloof position, from which the ecological communities around us were simply material for which we sought a scientific understanding. Now, we must accept the immediacy of the many environmental problems that threaten us and the responsibility of ecologists to play their full part in addressing these problems. This fifth edition addresses this challenge, with several chapters devoted entirely to applied topics, and examples of how ecological principles have been applied to problems facing us highlighted throughout the remaining nineteen chapters. Nonetheless, the authors remain wedded to the belief that environmental action can only ever be as sound as the ecological principles on which it is based. Hence, while trying harder than ever to help improve preparedness for addressing the environmental problems of the years ahead, the book remains, in its essence, an exposition of the science of ecology. This new edition incorporates the results from more than a thousand recent studies into a fully up-to-date text. Written for students of ecology, researchers and practitioners, the fifth edition of Ecology: From Individuals to Ecosystems is anessential reference to all aspects of ecology and addresses environmental problems of the future.