Ecology: Individuals, Populations and Communities by Colin R. Townsend, John L.

Ecology: Individuals, Populations and Communities by Colin R. Townsend, John L..

ECOLOGY

The first edition of this successful textbook was

praised for its breadth of coverage and

freshness of approach. In its new edition,

Ecology is completely revised and thoroughly

updated, with almost 300 new references, and

retains the overall philosophy which has proved

so popular. As before, the study of plant and

animal ecology is fully integrated, and

mathematical and laboratory studies are

described where necessary. However, examples

drawn from real ecological systems illustrate

both the complexity of the subject, and the way

diverse areas such as descriptive natural history,

environmental physiology, behaviour, field

experimentation and mathematical modelling

can be brought together to solve ecological

problems. The authors attempt, throughout, to

encourage the reader to combine all of the

above facets of ecology, so that wherever his or

her strengths lie - in the field or laboratory, in

theory or in practice •

- a balanced and up-to.

date view emerges. There is clear presentation

of mathematical aspects of the subject, and

material is highly accessible to the

undergraduate whilst practising ecologists will

find it stimulating.

In addition to the extended references, the

second edition contains two new chapters

which consider areas of applied ecology which

are relevant to contemporary global issues. The

first deals with the control of abundance: how

to limit pest and weed populations, how to

exploit natural populations for food, and how

to conserve biological diversity and endangered

species. The second covers the flux of nutrients

through ecosystems, both natural and

agricultural, and also discusses global

biogeochemical cycles and ways in which

human activities interfere with them, including

the discussion of the enrichment of lakes, acid

rain and the greenhouse effect.

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