Ecology : from individuals to ecosystems /
Michael Begon, Colin R. Townsend, John L. Harper.
- Fourth edition.
- xii, 738 pages : color illustrations, color maps ; 27 cm.
Includes bibliographical references (pages [659]-700) and index.
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 : restoration, biosecurity and conservation 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 : pest control and harvest management The nature of the community : patterns in space and time 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 : management based on the theory of succession, food webs, ecosystem functioning and biodiversity
"Is unparalleled among ecology texts for its breadth of coverage of contemporary ecology and for its clear presentation of even the more complex topics. The coverage of population ecology is superb, and the presentation of all topics is enriched both by extremely clear illustrations and a rich use of examples of human relationships with the environment. It should be read by all aspiring ecologists and the professors who teach them." --Marcel Holyoak, University of California