Geographical Ecology [Paperback]

Robert H. MacArthur (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0691023824 | ISBN-13: 978-0691023823 | Publication Date: July 1, 1984

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 the history and philosophy of science, it is also frequently cited in the current ecological literature and is still up-to-date in many categories.

"The theme running through this book," MacArthur wrote, "is that the structure of the environment, the morphology of the species, the economics of species behavior, and the dynamics of population changes are the four essential ingredients of all interesting biogeographic patterns." Written in his beautifully lucid style, this work will continue to be read by anyone concerned with biological ideas.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"This book is of enduring value as the culminating work of one of the most important ecologists of all time."--Edward O. Wilson, Harvard University

"One of the great classics of the ecological literature. It has served as an inspiration and challenge to three academic generations of biologists, a catalyst for controversy that still enlivens the field, and a record of the genius of the author."--Robert K. Colwell, University of California at Berkeley

About the Author

Robert H. MacArthur (1930-1972) was Professor of Biology at Princeton University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (July 1, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691023824
• ISBN-13: 978-0691023823
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,086,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Grand Summation of the 20th Century's Greatest Ecologist, April 22, 2002

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Geographical Ecology (Paperback)

Robert MacArthur, along with his mentor, G. Evelyn Hutchinson, is regarded by many as the greatest ecologist of the 20th Century. He made significant contributions to our understanding of ecological niches, interspecific competition, and perhaps most importantly, provided a unique means of looking at species diversity as a complex interaction between speciation (or species immigration) and extinction rates, so brilliantly shown in the MacArthur-Wilson theory of equilibrium island biogeography. MacArthur applied originally his graduate training in applied mathematics at Brown University to ecological questions which had interested him since college, while earning his doctorate in biology as a student of Hutchinson's at Yale University. Without question, MacArthur raised the stature of ecology from descriptive natural history to a complex mathematical science keenly interested in the interactions, abundance and distribution of animals and plants. His seminal research still casts a long shadow on modern ecology, nearly thirty years after his untimely death from cancer in 1972.

Although written as an advanced text for undergraduate and graduate ecology students, "Geographical Ecology" is best understood as the eloquent final testament in which MacArthur described those aspects of ecology - competition, the structure and organization of animal communities and species diversity - which had defined his research since his tenure as Hutchinson's student. MacArthur opens the book with an introduction to physical aspects of the environment, which is soon followed by an excellent chapter on competition. Most of the text is devoted to discussing the theory of equilibrium island biogeography and its ramifications for analyzing species diversity, including extensive overviews of species distributions and patterns of species diversity. He also succinctly ties in competition with equilibrium theory. At the end of many chapters he includes appendices in which he discusses much of the mathematical reasoning behind these ecological concepts; however one need not know either calculus nor linear algebra to appreciate MacArthur's eloquent discussion of these subjects. At the very end, he describes the importance of history in determining biogeographic patterns with respect to long-term ecological and geologic time scales (Regrettably, this is an issue which many ecologists have ignored until quite recently; one notable exception is MacArthur's former doctoral student, Michael Rosenzweig, himself a distinguished ecologist.).

Students of ecology and evolutionary biology as well as those interested in the history and philosophy of science will find "Geographical Ecology" an important tome. It is certainly one of the most influential texts ever published on ecology.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Geographical Ecology, August 24, 2008

By 

CW (Honolulu, HI, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Geographical Ecology (Paperback)

A classic work in ecology. A must-read for any ecologist. Written by one of the most influential scientists of the last century. An excellet volume to have in your collection.