Essentials of Ecology [Paperback]

Colin R. Townsend (Author), Michael Begon (Author), John L. Harper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2002 | ISBN-10: 1405103280 | ISBN-13: 978-1405103282 | Edition: 2

Essentials of Ecology presents introductory ecology in an accessible, state-of-the-art format designed to cultivate the novice student's understanding of, and fascination with, the natural world. In a concise, engaging style, this text outlines the essential principles of ecology from the theoretical fundamentals to their practical applications. Full color artwork, simple pedagogical features and a wide range of timely examples make this book an ideal introduction to ecology for students at all levels.

The second edition of this successful text provides expanded coverage and over 400 references including 100 new examples reflecting the vibrancy of the field. More than a simple update, the new edition also features new artwork http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/townsend/Images.htm, an enhanced design, and additional integrated applications to make Essentials of Ecology up-to-date and relevant.

Outstanding features of the second edition of Essentials of Ecology include:

* Dedicated website - study resources and web research questions provide students and instructors with an enhanced, interactive experience of the book www.blackwellpublishing.com/townsend
* Key Concepts - summarized at the beginning of each chapter
* Unanswered questions - highlighted throughout, emphasizing that in ecology, as in any science, we have much left to learn
* History boxes - outlining key landmarks in the development of ecology
* Quantitative boxes - allowing mathematical aspects of ecology to be explained thoroughly without interrupting the flow of the text
* Topical ECOncerns boxes - highlighting ethical, social and political questions in ecology
* Review questions - included at the end of each chapter

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In a concise, engaging style, this book contains the essential principles of ecology from theoretical to their practical applications." (Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, July/August 2008)

"The new edition also features new artwork and an enhanced design, making Essentials of Ecology as attractive as it is up-to-date and relevant." (Biotechnologie, Agronomie Societe et Environment) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

Essentials of Ecology presents introductory ecology in an accessible, state-of-the-art format designed to cultivate the novice student's understanding of, and fascination with, the natural world. In a concise, engaging style, this text outlines the essential principles of ecology from the theoretical fundamentals to their practical applications. Full color artwork, simple pedagogical features and a wide range of timely examples make this book an ideal introduction to ecology for students at all levels.

The second edition of this successful text provides expanded coverage and over a hundred examples reflecting the vibrancy of the field. More than a simple update, the new edition also features new artwork, an enhanced design, and additional integrated applications to make Essentials of Ecology up-to-date and relevant.

Outstanding features of the second edition of Essentials of Ecology include:

• Dedicated website - study resources and web research questions provide students and instructors with an enhanced, interactive experience of the book
  
• Key Concepts - summarized at the beginning of each chapter
  
• Unanswered questions - highlighted throughout, emphasizing that in ecology, as in any science, we have much left to learn
  
• History boxes - outlining key landmarks in the development of ecology
  
• Quantitative boxes - allowing mathematical aspects of ecology to be explained thoroughly without interrupting the flow of the text
  
• Topical ECOncerns boxes - highlighting ethical, social and political questions in ecology
  
• Review questions - included at the end of each chapter

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1405103280
• ISBN-13: 978-1405103282
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,429,511 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very good beginning in Ecology, April 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Essentials of Ecology (Paperback)

With this book, the writers adapted there previous release ("Ecology : Individuals, Populations and Communities", third edition) for easily understanding of the matter. But they don't just adapted it, they rewrote it. They focused, for example, on problems that are still unresolved. It has been written for students in ecology but also for everyone who wants to learn more about populations, evolution and ecosystems. I hope it will lead to a better understanding of ecology...

11 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Warning: step away from this book!, January 7, 2007

By 

Jude Stull "aspect_of_reality" (Cambridge, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essentials of Ecology (Paperback)

The book shrouds various tatters of the subject matter in dense, poorly worded compound sentences, dressed with excessive full color graphs and charts. It was full of limitless qualifications, redundancies, and undefined terminology (there was no glossary).

If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself in a position of having to actually have to wade through this, (for a class, for example), expect to find flatly unexplained contradictions in fact. (EG, the chapter on population sates that the rate of human population increase is steadily increasing, but then go on to repeatedly quotes Joel Cohen who states that it had slowed down in the 1970's).

Trying to study from it was a big enough ordeal to put most people off the subject for life. This textbook's abdication of explanatory rigor is probably one of the reasons the environmental movement has not gotten the popular traction it deserves.

Truly this textbook is a case study in obfuscatory humbug.

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Could be better, March 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Essentials of Ecology (Paperback)

The content of the book was usually clear. However, there is no glossary at all, and the index is horrible. As a textbook, this is unacceptable. Trying to study from it was a nightmare.