Ecology - Hardcover

Cain, Michael L.; Bowman, William D.; Hacker, Sally D.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0878930833 ISBN 13: 9780878930838

Publisher: Sinauer Associates Inc, 2008

Synopsis

Understanding ecology is important in today s world. Yet, due to the sheer volume of conceptual material and morass of details to be digested, many students find it a difficult subject to grasp. Moreover, the dynamic nature of this discipline presents challenges to providing students with the most current information available. For some time now, instructors have been calling for a textbook that offers just the right balance of subject matter emphasis, clearly presented concepts, and engaging, fresh examples. Ecology authored by ecologists who each have more than 10 years experience teaching the subject is that book. To aid students in integrating material across the levels at which ecology is studied, the book is structured so that they are always reminded of connections among levels of the ecological hierarchy (from individuals to populations to communities to ecosystems) and links to evolution, a unifying theme for all of ecology

About this title

About the Author:

MICHAEL L. CAIN, having opted for an early retirement to focus full-time on writing, now brings his expertise to this new book. Dr. Cain received his Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University, USA, taught at New Mexico State University, USA and the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, USA, and is currently affiliated with Bowdoin College, USA. He has instructed students across a wide range of subjects, including introductory biology, ecology, field ecology, evolution, botany, mathematical biology, and biostatistics. His research interests include: plant population ecology; long-distance dispersal; ecological and evolutionary dynamics in hybrid zones; and spatial spread and search behavior in plants and animals. WILLIAM D. BOWMAN is Professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, USA, affiliated with both the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research. He earned his Ph.D. from Duke University, USA. Dr. Bowman has taught courses in introductory ecology, plant ecology, plant--soil interactions, and ecosystems ecology, and for several years has directed undergraduate summer field research programs. He is co-editor of the 2001 book, Structure and Function of an Alpine Ecosystem, Niwot Ridge, Colorado (Oxford University Press). His research focuses on plant ecology, biogeochemistry, and community dynamics. SALLY D. HACKER is Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology at Oregon State University, USA. She received her Ph.D. from the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Brown University, USA. She has taught courses in general ecology, community ecology, marine biology, and field ecology. As a community ecologist interested in natural and managed marine, dune, and estuarine communities, Dr. Hacker's research explores species interactions and how they influence community formation and species diversity.

Review:

As instructors we all dream of the perfect ecology textbook and I compliment Cain, Bowman, and Hacker on making their ideal text a reality. This textbook provides a gateway to attract student interest and many ways to encourage the learning of ecology. --Kathleen L. Shea, Ecology

The authors have produced a clear, engaging, and beautifully illustrated undergraduate textbook on ecology. ... This is a carefully prepared, eminently readable textbook that deserves full consideration for undergraduate ecology courses. --Sharon P. Lawler, The Quarterly Review of Biology

The authors also had two major goals to provide the right emphasis with the right degree of difficulty, and to ensure integration of ecological functioning across multiple levels. Perhaps the reason the authors so fully achieve the right emphasis goal is their lack of achieving the less is more principle. The abundance and diversity of examples within the book succeed in articulating common principles across multiple scales of view. These fascinating stories clearly reveal the connectedness of the world in which we live and the commonality of processes across multiple ecological scales. These two concepts are very important for students to not only know but to understand and be able to articulate. A narrative presentation style ensures that the content is well-integrated and flows, while the case study recapitulation at the end of the chapter brings student learning full circle. This book s straight-forward, captivating style of presentation should lead students to a more sophisticated level of comprehension. --Joyce Phillips Hardy, Plant Science Bulletin

About this edition

• Publisher: Sinauer Associates Inc
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0878930833
• ISBN 13: 9780878930838
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 621