Insect Ecology: An Ecosystem Approach (Hardcover)

by Timothy D. Schowalter (Author) "INSECTS ARE THE DOMINANT GROUP OF ORGANISMS ON EARTH, IN terms of both taxonomic diversity (>50% of all described species) and ecological function (Wilson, 1992)..." (more)
Key Phrases: postdispersal seed predators, abiotic pools, foliage standing crop, North America, Ecological Society of America, Puerto Rico (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"...remarkable for its scope, breadth, and comprehensiveness. ...highly useful for many reasons in addition to the voluminous information presented." -- P.E. Lutz, Lenoir-Rhyne College, in Choice, July/August 2000

"Insect Ecology is remarkable for its scope, breadth, and comprehensiveness. Schowalter (Oregon State University, Corvallis), a well-known authority in entomological ecology, has superbly and exhaustively reviewed the entire subject of insect ecology. Â…The writing is professional, accurate, well-organized, and up-to-date. This volume will be highly useful for many reasons in addition to the voluminous information presented. Â…Absolutely indispensable for graduate students, faculty, and professionals in entomology and ecology and for libraries that support these disciplines."
--P.E. Lutz, Lenoir-Rhyne College, in CHOICE (July/August 2000)
"...the book is well written and designed. It includes excellent overview and synthesis chapters, and each individual chapter ends with a concise summary. Â…I recommend that students, professionals, and amateur entomologists read this excellent volume."
—-Lee Dyer, Tulane University, in ECOLOGY (2000) -- Review

Review
"Insect Ecology is remarkable for its scope, breadth, and comprehensiveness. Schowalter (Oregon State University, Corvallis), a well-known authority in entomological ecology, has superbly and exhaustively reviewed the entire subject of insect ecology. ...The writing is professional, accurate, well-organized, and up-to-date. This volume will be highly useful for many reasons in addition to the voluminous information presented. ...Absolutely indispensable for graduate students, faculty, and professionals in entomology and ecology and for libraries that support these disciplines."
--P.E. Lutz, Lenoir-Rhyne College, in CHOICE (July/August 2000)
"...the book is well written and designed. It includes excellent overview and synthesis chapters, and each individual chapter ends with a concise summary. ...I recommend that students, professionals, and amateur entomologists read this excellent volume."
-Lee Dyer, Tulane University, in ECOLOGY (2000)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0126289751
• ISBN-13: 978-0126289756
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,404,111 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from Dr. CanopyMeg Lowman, May 1, 2009

By	Margaret D. Lowman "Canopy ecologist" (Sarasota, Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Insect Ecology, Second Edition: An Ecosystem Approach (Hardcover)

Tim Schowalter's Insect Ecology is a versatile volume that provides a breadth of information for both the professional as well as the amateur entomologist. My students are frequently borrowing this book from my office library, and although I am forever reminding them to return it, what is a wonderful tribute to Tim's volume that it is in such great demand by undergraduates! The text ranges from individual insect chapters (1-4) to populations (5-7) to community ecology of insects (8-10), and then some appropriate special chapters such as herbivory and conservation toward the end. If anyone wants an entomology book that satisfies a variety of both classroom or expedition needs, this is the one to buy!

5.0 out of 5 stars Insects in Ecosystems, April 28, 2009

By	D. A. Crossley, Jr. "soilmite" (Athens, Georgia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Insect Ecology, Second Edition: An Ecosystem Approach (Hardcover)

Insects are the most abundant animals on earth (even if they're absent from the oceans). They affect man's food and fibers. Insect pests of stored grain are the most economically important ones. Insect ecology has often been viewed as the study of these pests of fields and forests.

Timothy Schowalter's handsome book, Insect Ecology, presents the insects as components of ecological systems -- Ecosystems. In this context, insects appear as important cogs in forest and stream ecosystems, even essential ones.

The book moves from the study of individual insects (Chapters 1-4) and insect populations (Chapters 5-7) to Community Ecology, or assemblages of insect species (Chapters 8-10). At the ecosystem level, the importance of herbivory (Chapter 12), Pollination (Chapter 13) and Decomposition (Chapter 14) are considered. Chapter 15 evaluates insects as regulators of ecosystem processes.

A final synthesis reviews insect and ecosystem ecology in the context of conservation and restoration, pest management, and deteriorating environmental conditions.

I believe that Dr. Schowalter has put insects into their proper perspective, as dynamic and essential features of the natural landscape, be it terrestrial or aquatic. I recommend it to entomologists and ecologists alike, as well as naturalists who'd like a better grasp of the function of our ecosystems.

D. A. Crossley, Jr.
April 28, 2009