Experimental Geographical Ecology

This book sets out a paradigm of experimental geographical ecology and its core—landscape ecology—providing a number of empirical statistical models and ecological geographical concepts developed on the basis of these. It highlights the mechanisms of formation of regional- and local-level landscape-ecological systems, their natural and anthropogenic dynamics, and their evolutionary trends. It presents numerical methods of making landscape-ecological forecasts and assessing forest sustainability, and provides quantitative estimates of local and regional biotic regulation of the carbon cycle according to the scenarios of modern temperature growth and mitigation of warming, set out by the Paris (2015) Agreement on Climate Change. As such, the book will be a useful source of reference for field research, statistical and cartographic processing of the obtained data, mathematical modeling, geoecological interpretation of results, and the creation of theoretical schemes of geosystem analysis. It will appeal to specialists in the fields of geographical ecology, landscape-ecological modeling, and environmental forecasting.

This book sets out a paradigm of experimental geographical ecology and its core--landscape ecology--providing a number of empirical statistical models and ecological geographical concepts developed on the basis of these. It highlights the mechanisms of formation of regional- and local-level landscape-ecological systems, their natural and anthropogenic dynamics, and their evolutionary trends. It presents numerical methods of making landscape-ecological forecasts and assessing forest sustainability, and provides quantitative estimates of local and regional biotic regulation of the carbon cycle according to the scenarios of modern temperature growth and mitigation of warming, set out by the Paris (2015) Agreement on Climate Change. As such, the book will be a useful source of reference for field research, statistical and cartographic processing of the obtained data, mathematical modeling, geoecological interpretation of results, and the creation of theoretical schemes of geosystem analysis. It will appeal to specialists in the fields of geographical ecology, landscape-ecological modeling, and environmental forecasting.

First published in 1972 and now available for the first time in paperback, this book is the summation of the life work of one of the most influential scientists of our time. Of permanent interest in this history and philosophy of science, it is also frequently cited in the current ecological literature and is still up-to-date in many categories. Written in MacArthur's beautifully lucid style this work will continue to be read by anyone concerned with biological ideas. *Lightning Print On Demand Title

Part 1: What is ecology? Chapter 1: Introduction to the science of ecology. Chapter 2: Evolution and ecology. Part 2: The problem of distribution: populations. Chapter 3: Methods for analyzing distributions. Chapter 4: Factors that limit distributions: dispersal. Chapter 5: Factors that limit distributions: habitat selections. Chapter 6: Factors that limit distributions: Interrelations with other species. Chapter 7: Factors that limit distributions: temperature, moisture, and other physical-chemical factors. Chapter 8: The relationship between distribution and abundance. Part 3: The problem of abundance: populations. Chapter 9: Population parameters. Chapter 10: Demographic techniques: vital statistics. Chapter 11: Population growth. Chapter 12: Species interactions: competition. Chapter 13: Species interactions: predation. Chapter 14: Species interactions: Herbivory and mutualism. Chapter 15: Species interactions: disease and parasitism. Chapter 16: Population regulation. Chapter 17: Applied problems I: harvesting populations. Chapter 18: Applied problems II: Pest control. Chapter 19: Applied problems III: Conservation biology. Part 4: Distribution and abundance at the community level. Chapter 20: The nature of the community. Chapter 21: Community change. Chapter 22: Community organization I: biodiversity. Chapter 23: Community organization II: Predation and competition in equilibrial communities. Chapter 24: Community organization III: disturbance and nonequilibrium communities. Chapter 25: Ecosystem metabolism I: primary production. Chapter 26: Ecosystem metabolism II: secondary production. Chapter 27: Ecosystem metabolism III: nutrient cycles. Chapter 28: Ecosystem health: human impacts.

Geographical information systems are one of the most revolutionary and important tools that have become available to ecological researchers in recent years. Many ecologists are unaware, however, of the full power of GIS techniques and are not using them to their full advantage. By providing examples of ecological applications at scales ranging from organisms to landscapes, this new book offers basic information on the variety of analyses available using GIS. Also discussed is the full scope for linkage to related technologies like remote sensing and methods like spatially explicit modelling. Researchers will find this an invaluable guide to applying and getting the most out of GIS techniques. Presumes no previous GIS experience. A practical guide to using GIS in ecological research. Uses numerous and varied experimental examples and data.

A pioneering work, Species Diversity in Ecological Communities looks at biodiversity in its broadest geographical and historical contexts. For many decades, ecologists have studied only small areas over short time spans in the belief that diversity is regulated by local ecological interactions. However, to understand fully how communities come to have the diversity they do, and to properly address urgent conservation problems, scientists must consider global patterns of species richness and the historical events that shape both regional and local communities. The authors use new theoretical developments, analyses, and case studies to explore the large-scale mechanisms that generate and maintain diversity. Case studies of various regions and organisms consider how local and regional processes interact to determine patterns of species richness. The contributors emphasize the fact that ecological processes acting quickly on a local scale do not erase the effects of regional and historical events that occur more slowly and less frequently. This book compels scientists to rethink the foundations of community ecology and sets the stage for further research using comparative, experimental, geographical, and historical data.