A Primer of Ecology (Paperback)

by Nicholas J. Gotelli (Author) "A population is a group of plants, animals, or other organisms, all of the same species, that live together and reproduce..." (more)
Key Phrases: Empirical Examples, Model Variations, Year Figure (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A Primer of Ecology, Third Edition, presents a concise but detailed exposition of the most common mathematical models in population and community ecology. It is intended to demystify ecological models and the mathematics behind them by deriving the models from first principles. The book may be used as a self-teaching tutorial by students, as a primary textbook, or as a supplemental text to a general ecology textbook.

The Primer explains in detail basic concepts of exponential and logistic population growth, age-structured demography, metapopulation dynamics, competition, predation, island biogeography, and, in a chapter new to this edition, succession. Each chapter is carefully graded from simple material that is appropriate for beginning undergraduates to advanced material, which is suited for upper-division undergraduates and beginning graduate students. Advanced topics include environmental and demographic stochasticity, discrete population growth and chaos, stage-structured demography, intraguild predation, nonlinear predator-prey isoclines, and passive sampling. Each chapter follows the same structure: model presentation and predictions, model assumptions, model variations, empirical examples, and problems.

Essential equations are highlighted for students' use. Intermediate algebraic "expressions" are also illustrated so that students see where the equations came from. New terms are introduced in the text in boldface type to alert students to novel concepts. The Primer contains more mathematical detail than many ecology textbooks, but avoids jargon and mathematical terminology that can intimidate students. Both simple and advanced problems are included, followed by fully worked solutions so that students can gain confidence and a better understanding of the models. Citations are kept to a minimum.

About the Author
NICHOLAS J. GOTELLI is Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Vermont.

Product Details

• Paperback: 265 pages
• Publisher: Sinauer Associates; 3 edition (March 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878932739
• ISBN-13: 978-0878932733
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #540,012 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easily one of the best on the topic, June 23, 2003

By	Robert L. Gorena "schizaphis" (Houston, Tx United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Four and one half stars.

Dr. Gotelli's book is the most successful which I am familiar at "demystifying" the mathematical concepts in ecology. "A primer of ecology" is very well organized and written so as not to frighten off the uninitiated, but covers the mathematics well enough to be an adequate refresher for those that have slipped in some areas. The inclusion of ecological succession in the 3rd edition is an important addition and not merely a reason to put out a new version. I highly recommend this text to anyone who is interested in learning about ecological study, and I think it would make an excellent senior undergraduate or supplemental graduate text.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gotelli's work is one of the best Ecology books out there!!!, April 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Primer of Ecology (Paperback)

I had to read Gotelli's A Primer of Ecology for my Ecology class at Brown University. I thought that it was by far the most comprehensive and easily read book used in that class. The mathematical models were always backed up with empirical evidence to several models in the field. A definate must read for all ecologists!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for beginners and advanced., September 24, 2005

By	Raymond Mroch - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Gotelli has done a great job with this book. He explains most things concisely as well as thoroughly. He not only mentions the concepts, but the people and events leading to the discovery of those concepts. This can be a rare thing in textbooks. The only complaint I have is that he doesn't always explain the derivations of his equations, he just wants us to trust him on them. Other than that, a great book on Ecology for its size.