Food Webs: Integration of Patterns and Dynamics

Polis, G.A.; Winemiller, K.O. (Eds)

ISBN 10: 0412040514 / ISBN 13: 9780412040511

Published by Chapman & Hall, 1996

About this Item

xiv, 472, text figs. . HB. Fine. From the library of Prof. J. Green (1928-2016) with his name to endpaper. Food-web research has recently experienced a surge of activity fueled by new empirical data and innovative theories. Over the past decade and a half, food web has been equated to a large extent with food-web theory, a body of explanations for regularities observed in the features of simple food webs reported in the literature. In recent years, it has become clear that real food webs are much more complex and dynamic than was portrayed by earlier studies. Current research documents the complexity and variability of food webs, and seeks to explain patterns in the structure and function of food webs. Moreover, the integration of food-web patterns with ecological dynamics has become a major goal that ultimately will link food webs with other levels of the biological hierarchy. Major issues covered by the book include: the role of nutrients, detritus and microbes in food webs; indirect effects in food webs; the interaction of productivity and consumption; linking cause and effect in food webs; temporal and spatial scales of food-web dynamics; applications of food webs to pest management, fisheries, and ecosystem stress. The book contains numerous tables, figures, and mathematical equations that are reported nowhere else in the literature. The book contains the review and synthesis of developments in the field of food web research. The book is organized into six sections. Each of the five sections of contributed chapters contain a brief introductory chapter that actually is a minireview. The sixth section contains three in-depth synthesis chapters: the role of indirect effects; productivity and consumer regulation;and temporal, spatial, and life history influences on food webs. This book should be of interest to graduate students and researchers in ecology, forestry, natural resources, environmental science, wildlife, fisheries, biology and zoology with an interest in community and ecosystem ecology. [9780412040511].

Seller Inventory # S42719

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Food Webs: Integration of Patterns and Dynamics
• Publisher: Chapman & Hall
• Publication Date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0412040514
• ISBN 13: 9780412040511
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION,ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

About this title

Synopsis

Reflecting the recent surge of activity in food web research fueled by new empirical data, this authoritative volume successfully spans and integrates the areas of theory, basic empirical research, applications, and resource problems. Written by recognized leaders from various branches of ecological research, this work provides an in-depth treatment of the most recent advances in the field and examines the complexity and variability of food webs through reviews, new research, and syntheses of the major issues in food web research. Food Webs features material on the role of nutrients, detritus and microbes in food webs, indirect effects in food webs, the interaction of productivity and consumption, linking cause and effect in food webs, temporal and spatial scales of food web dynamics, applications of food webs to pest management, fisheries, and ecosystem stress. Three comprehensive chapters synthesize important information on the role of indirect effects, productivity and consumer regulation, and temporal, spatial and life history influences on food webs. In addition, numerous tables, figures, and mathematical equations found nowhere else in related literature are presented in this outstanding work. Food Webs offers researchers and graduate students in various branches of ecology an extensive examination of the subject. Ecologists interested in food webs or community ecology will also find this book an invaluable tool for understanding the current state of knowledge of food web research.

Review

...this important book..is not a ramshackle compilation of idiosyncratic articles, incomprehensible to those outside the field. - Trends in Ecology and Evolution; ...well written and edited volume is substantial and stimulating. I believe it will be an important reference point in the field and I would strongly recommend it to anyone working in community ecology. - Endeavour; The study of these food web proceses is one of the most fundamental concerns of ecology, and this book represents a fascinating summary of current food web research that should interest a wide range of ecologists. - Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 7/97; Just a few of the book's many interesting points could whet the appetite of a student of ecology. - Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 7/97