Concepts of Ecology

Included Index

This comprehensive text presents the significant concepts of modern ecology in an intelligible and easy-to-understand manner. It continues to focus on ecosystem ecology emphasizing energy flow, biogeo- chemical cycling, propulation ecology and community ecology. Designed for students with some knowledge of biology and chemistry, its terminology is minimized, and elementary mathematics is used for quantitative aspects. Table of contents preface. Part i: ecology and ecosystems? ecology as a science. The nature of ecosystems. Part ii: the abiotic environment?minimums, tolerances, and the medium. Insolation, precipitation, and climate. Soils, nutrients, and other factors. Part iii: energy flow in ecosystems?energy fixation by autotrophs. Energy flow beyond the producers. Part iv: biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems? gaseous and sedimentary nutrient cycles. Nutrient budgets and ecosystems. Part v: population ecology? population growth and structure. Population regulation. Part vi: community ecology?the structure and function of communities. Stability and change in communities. Part vii: major ecosystems of the world?biomes, the major terrestrial ecosystems. Aquatic ecosystems. Part viii: human ecology?the nature of human ecology. The human population. Anthropogenic impact on aquatic ecosystems. Anthropogenic impact on terrestrial systems. Anthropogenic impact on the atmosphere. References