Customer Reviews

Consider a Cylindrical Cow: More Adventures in Environmental Problem Solving

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
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I can't quite give this one five stars because, unlike "Consider a Spherical Cow", it lacks solutions in the back to the exercises throughout the book. This makes it a little less welcoming than "Spherical" to those using it for self study.

Nonetheless, Harte writes with insight and humor. Moreover, this kind of book is, one that shows students the utility of simple quantitative models, is rare and important.

Can't there be a solutions manual or something?

This book is a great reference for anyone working in ecology or environmental science. It makes use of more advanced mathematics (differential equations and linear algebra) than does its predecessor, "Consider a Spherical Cow," but retains the same clear and intuitive style.

The book is centered around five "core models" (population growth, predator-prey, biogeochemistry, non-steady-state climate, and pollutant stock-and-flow), each of which requires a different set of mathematical tools. Even a reader who doesn't follow all the details of the calculations will still learn how to approach these different kinds of quantitative problems. Most sections start with easier examples and work up to more difficult ones, so the book as a whole is very accessible.

"Cylindrical Cow" encourages conceptual understanding rather than providing plug-and-chug formulas. There were just a few cases where I would have preferred a little more guidance (for example, the chapter on feedback loops didn't have enough worked-through examples).

All in all a great book to have on hand, and refreshing in its clarity. (And no, I'm not biased just because the author is my advisor. :-)