The Economy of Nature, Fifth Edition [Paperback]

Robert E. Ricklefs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 21, 2000 | ISBN-10: 071673883X | ISBN-13: 978-0716738831 | Edition: Fifth Edition

This fully revised edition offers up-to-date coverage of ideas, data and directions in modern ecology. With a balance of theory and principles plus examples of structure and function in natural systems, this text should help unravel the interrelationships of organisms and their environment. Features of this edition include: new chapters on population genetics, biodiversity, and biogeography; a new section on ecological applications, with chapters covering extinction and conservation, and development and global ecology; an expanded chapter on sex, family and society; and centralized coverage of predation/competition, mutualism and organism adaptation.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

ROBERT E. RICKLEFS, University of Missouri, St. Louis, USA. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 550 pages
• Publisher: W. H. Freeman; Fifth Edition edition (November 21, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 071673883X
• ISBN-13: 978-0716738831
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #749,954 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lifesaver., February 17, 2007

By 

Kerstyn - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Economy of Nature, Fifth Edition (Paperback)

I admit, at first I could feel my eyeballs melting from the pedantic aura that radiated from the Economy of Nature. The text followed a simple, formulaic method of teaching: each chapter began with a generalization, usually relating chapter concepts to a current issue, before dissecting the topic from the easiest to most difficult concepts. The material was essentially mathematical based on the graphs and equations normally associated with ecology, and the section on population growth is particularly helpful if you're a bit rocky with incorporating all the rates to calculate the net growth.

It was boring, boring, boring, but it was concise and saved my arse on final exams. If you're taking intro bio, I would recommend this as supplementary reading. It's definitely not as wordy as the average bio textbook, but you'll learn loads more about ecology and the math involved isn't tricky. The formulas are explained well, so even if you find it challenging you'll get the hang of it in no time.

1 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Economy of Nature, August 17, 2010

By 

clarinetgirl1990 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Economy of Nature (Paperback)

I needed to purchase my college textbooks for cheaper prices, so I turned to Amazon. The book I purchased is for ecology class at the University of Illinois. I was very impressed with the honesty of the seller in metioning the condidtion of the book. The book looks almost new but costs the same as a used book. The book arrived ahead of schedule and the seller showed concern for the customer by adding his/her contact information so I could ask questions about my order at any time.Thank you Amazon for helping me get quality books for great prices.

1 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Pathetic condition, December 19, 2010

By 

khan - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Economy of Nature (Paperback)

This second hand book was just ok if u want to use it only a short time. infact book condtion was pathetic and on many pages coffee was spilled. would never recommend this seller.