Ecology: The Experimental Analysis of Distribution and Abundance, 6th edition

Published by Pearson (September 18, 2008) © 2009

  • Charles J. Krebs University of British Columbia, Vancouver
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Charles Krebs' best-selling majors-level text approaches ecology as a series of problems that are best understood by evaluating empirical evidence through data analysis and application of quantitative reasoning. No other text presents analytical, quantitative, and statistical ecological information in an equally accessible style for students. Reflecting the way ecologists actually practice, the new edition emphasizes the role of experiments in testing ecological ideas and discusses many contemporary and controversial problems related to distribution and abundance.

Ecology: The Experimental Analysis of Distribution and Abundance, Sixth Edition builds on a clear writing style, historical perspective, and emphasis on data analysis with an updated, reorganized discussion of key topics and two new chapters on climate change and animal behavior. Key concepts and key terms are now included at the beginning of each chapter to help students focus on what is most important within each chapter, mathematical analyses are broken down step by step in a new feature called “Working with the Data,” concepts are reinforced throughout the text with examples from the literature, and end-of-chapter questions and problems emphasize application.

  • Selected topics have been reorganized and condensed in response to feedback from professors and students.
    • Chapter 8: Population Parameters and Demographic Techniques streamlines material from Chapters 9 and 10 of the Fifth Edition,
    • Chapters 5 and Chapter 6 have also been reorganized to summarize concepts from Chapters 4 to 7 of the Fifth Edition.
  • Key concepts have moved from the end of each chapter to the beginning of each chapter to assist students in identifying and reviewing topics that are explored in the chapter. 
  • Profiles of eminent ecologists add a historical perspective and demonstrate that ecology is a very human activity.
  • A unique problems-oriented approach raises a question in each chapter about how populations and communities operate in nature, and then provides information to help students think critically about the problem.
  • Writing in clear, jargon-free language, the author incorporates a strong research base, presenting theory and data in parallel so students can evaluate how well the theory fits reality. A set of problems and questions after each chapter further motivates thinking.
  • NEW! Working with the Data boxes demonstrate important quantitative concepts with examples, and allows for quick reference when reviewing for exams.
  • More than 150 figures, tables, and graphs are either completely new or updated with new data and a modern, more consistent design. Selected figures have new a design feature that highlights key information, interpretations, or questions.
  • NEW! Chapter 3: Behavioral Ecology and Chapter 25: Ecosystem Dynamics under Changing Climates have been added.
  • Selected topics have been reorganized and condensed in response to feedback from professors and students. Chapter 8: Population Parameters and Demographic Techniques streamlines material from Chapters 9 and 10 of the Fifth Edition, and Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 have also been reorganized to summarize concepts from Chapters 4 to 7 of the Fifth Edition.
  • Extensive revisions have been made to chapters on conservation biology (Chapter 17), community organization, and primary production (Chapter 22).
  • NEW! Researcher Profiles at the beginning of each part emphasize the historical development of ecology by highlighting the people who helped build the discipline.
  • NEW! JPEGs of all the photos, figures, graphs, and tables from the text  will be available for download on the Instructor Resource Center.
  • NEW! Key Terms are highlighted at the beginning of each chapter to help students recognize important terms as they read.
  • Figures of species contained within graphs have been redrawn and updated for this edition.

  • Review Questions and Problems have been revised and 30% are new.

  • NEW! A larger trim size gives the Sixth Edition a more friendly, inviting presentation for students.

 

I. WHAT IS ECOLOGY?

1.  Introduction to the Science of Ecology

2.  Evolution and Ecology

3.  Behavioral Ecology

II. GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTIONS

4.  Analyzing Geographic Distributions

5.  Factors That Limit Distributions I: Biotic

6.  Factors That Limit Distributions II: Abiotic

7.  Distribution and Abundance

III. THE PROBLEM OF ABUNDANCE: POPULATIONS

8.  Population Parameters and Demographic Techniques

9.  Population Growth

10.  Species Interactions I: Competition

11.  Species Interactions II: Predation

12.  Species Interactions III: Herbivory and Mutualism

13.  Species Interactions IV: Disease and Parasitism

14.  Regulation of Population Size

15.  Applied Problems I: Harvesting Populations

16.  Applied Problems II: Pest Control

17.  Applied Problems III: Conservation Biology

IV. DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL

18.  Community Structure

19.  Community Dynamics I: Biodiversity

20.  Community Dynamics II: Predation and Competition

21.  Community Dynamics III: Nonequilibrium Communities

22.  Ecosystem Metabolism I: Primary Production

23.  Ecosystem Metabolism II: Secondary Production

24.  Ecosystem Metabolism III:  Nutrient Cycles

25. Ecosystem Dynamics under Changing Climates

26. Ecosystem Health: Human Impacts

Appendix I - A Primer on Population Genetics

Appendix II - Instantaneous and Finite Rates

Appendix III - Species Diversity Measures of Heterogeneity

Glossary

Bibliography

Credits

Species Index

Subject Index

Charles Krebs is Emeritus Professor of Zoology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. He received his B.S. from the University of Minnesota and earned both his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia. In addition to teaching ecology for 40 years, he works extensively on the population of rodents in Northern Canada, the United States, and Australia, trying to understand the mechanisms behind population fluctuations. He has published three ecology textbooks including Ecology: The Experimental Analysis of Distribution and Abundance, Sixth Edition and Ecological Methodology, Second Edition both published by Benjamin Cummings.

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