Ecological Methods: With Particular Reference to the Study of Insect Populations - Hardcover

Southwood, T. R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0412157608 ISBN 13: 9780412157608

Publisher: Springer, 1978

Synopsis

the virtual impossibility of extracting the many different species from a habitat with equal efficiency by a single method (e.g. Nef, 1960). 1.1 Population estimates Population estimates can be classified into a number of different types; the most convenient classification is that adopted by Morris (1955), although he used the terms somewhat differently in a later paper (1960). 1.1.1 Absolute and related estimates The animal numbers may be expressed as a density per unit area of the ground of the habitat. Such estimates are given by nearest neighbour and related techniques (Chapter 2), marking and recapture (Chapter 3), by sampling a known fraction of the habitat (Chapter 4-6) and by removal sampling and random walk techniques (Chapter 7). Absolute population The number of animals per unit area (e.g. hectare, acre). It is almost impossible to construct a budget or to study mortality factors without the conversion of population estimates to absolute figures, for not only do insects often move from the plant to the soil at different developmental stages, but the amount of plant material is itself always changing. The importance of obtaining absolute estimates cannot be overemphasized.

About this title

From the Back Cover

This classic text, whose First Edition one reviewer referred to as "the ecologist’s bible", has been substantially revised and rewritten. Not only have the advances made in the field since the Second Edition been taken into account, but the scope has been explicitly extended to all macroscopic animals, with particular attention being paid to fish as well as other vertebrates.

Ecological Methods provide a unique synthesis of the methods and techniques available for the study of populations and ecosystems. Techniques used to obtain both absolute and relative population estimates are described, and approaches to the direct measurement of births, deaths, migration and the construction and interpretation of life tables are reviewed. Subsequent chapters examine those methods used for the measurement and description of biodiversity, species packing, energy flow and tropic relationships.

The text is extensively illustrated, clearly describing a wide range of equipment and methods of analysis. Comprehensive and up-to-date bibliographies to each chapter fully cover the relevant literature, and references are given to available computer programs and internet addresses. Like the earlier editions, this book will be an indispensable source of reference to researchers and students at all levels in the fields of ecology, entomology and zoology.

This book has an active website that provides additional illustrations, details of equipment and computer programs as well as references to work published since the manuscript was completed. The site is located at http:/www.blackwell-science.com/southwood.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 1978
• ISBN 10: 0412157608
• ISBN 13: 9780412157608
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 450