Ecology - Softcover

Michael Begon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0632023449 ISBN 13: 9780632023448

Publisher: Blackwell Science Ltd, 1990

Synopsis

This revised and updated textbook is, as before the study of plant and animal ecology, fully integrated and mathematical, and laborotory studies are described where necessary. Examples drawn from real ecological systems illustrate the complexity of this subject and the involvement of diverse areas - descriptive natural history, physiology, behaviour, field experimentation and mathematical modelling. The book attempts to encourage the reader to combine all the above facets, so that a balanced view emerges. Emphasis is placed on the clear presentation of mathematical aspects, and the material aims to be accessible to the undergraduate with little experience and also stimulating to practising ecologists. This new edition contains two new chapters both of which consider areas of applied ecology which are relevant to contemporary global issues. The first considers the control of abundance; on the one hand the limitingof pest and weed populations, on the other, maintaining the biological diversity of endangered species. Thesecond considers large areas as an extension of the discussion of communities. These "ecosystems" in the newest sense of the word are an important field of study when considering some of the important environmental problems facing mankind.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Begon, Townsend, and Harper's Ecology has long been regarded as the definitive textbook on all aspects of ecology. This new edition provides a comprehensive treatment of the subject, from the first principles of ecology to the current state of the field, and aims to improve students' preparedness to address the environmental problems of the new millennium.

Thoroughly revised and updated, this fourth edition includes:

• three new chapters on applied ecology, reflecting a rigorous, scientific approach to the ecological problems now facing mankind
  
• discussion of over 800 new studies, updating the text throughout
  
• an updated, user-friendly design with margin notes and chapter summaries that serve as study aids
  
• dedicated website at www.blackwellpublishing.com/begon

The resulting textbook is easy to use, lucid and up-to-date, and is the essential reference for all students whose degree program includes ecology and for practicing ecologists.

About the Author

Born in London in 1951 and a student at the University of Leeds, Mike Begon has spent his whole scientific career at the University of Liverpool, where he is now Professor of Ecology, specializing in the population and community ecology of infectious diseases in wildlife.

Colin Townsend obtained his DPhil at the University of Sussex before taking up teaching positions at Oxford University and the University of East Anglia. In 1989 he moved from the UK to New Zealand to the University of Otago where he was chair of the Zoology Department, and is now Director of the Ecology, Conservation and Biodiversity Research Group. He was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 1997.

John Harper is an award-winning biologist and a leading figure in plant population biology. He has served as a council member of the fellowship of the Royal Society and received the Darwin Award in 1990. He is also the author of Population Biology of Plants and co-author of Essentials of Ecology.

About this edition

• Publisher: Blackwell Science Ltd
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0632023449
• ISBN 13: 9780632023448
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 958