Features
The features of this textbook are unique and were carefully planned to enhance the students' comprehension of ecology.
All chapters beyond introductory chapter 1 feature the following learning system:Introduction The introduction to each chapter presents the student with the flavor of the subject at hand and important background information. Some introductions include historical events related to the subject; while others present an example of an ecological process. All attempt to engage students and draw them into the discussion that follows.Concepts The goal of this book is to build a foundation of ecological knowledge around key concepts. These key concepts are listed after the chapter introduction to alert the student to the major topics to follow, and to provide a place where the student can find a list of the important points of each chapter.Concept Discussions These sections reinforce the afore-mentioned concepts with a focus on published studies. This case-study approach supports the concepts with evidence, and introduces students to the methods and people that have created the discipline of ecology. Applications and Tools Many undergraduate students want to know how abstract ideas and general relationships can be applied to the ecological problems facing us all. They are concerned with the practical side of ecology and want to know more about the tools of science. Including a few applications in each chapter motivates students to learn more of the underlying principles of ecology. In addition, it seems that environmental problems are now so numerous and so pressing that they have erased a once easy distinction between general and applied ecology."Investigating the Evidence" Boxes These important readings offer "mini-lessons" on the scientific method, emphasizing statistics and study design. All of the boxes are intended to supplement the in-chapter Concept Discussions. They present a broad outline of the process of science, while also providing step-by-step explanation. An attempt has been made to tie all of the boxes to the subject matter covered in the chapters in which they appear. The series of boxes begins in chapter 1 with an overview of the scientific method, which provides a conceptual context for the more specific material in the next 21 chapters. The last boxed reading wraps up the series with a discussion on electronic literature searches. Illustrations A great deal of effort has been put into the development of illustrations, both photographs and line art. The goal has been to create more effective pedagogical tools through skillful design and use of color and to rearrange the traditional presentation of information in figures and captions. Much explanatory material has been moved from captions to within the illustrations, providing students with key information where they need it most. The explanatory boxes used in this text are unique and not available in any other ecology textbook.Summary The chapter summary reviews the main points of the content. The concepts around which each chapter is organized are boldfaced and redefined in the summary to emphasize once again the main points of the chapter.End-of-Chapter Material
Review Questions The review questions are designed to help students think more deeply about each concept and to reflect on alternative views. They also provide a place to fill in any remaining gaps in the information presented and take students beyond the foundation established in the main body of the chapter.
Suggested Readings Each chapter ends with a list of suggested readings. Though all of the readings offer the student coverage beyond the chapter content, they have been chosen to serve a variety of purposes. Some are books that provide a broad overview; others are papers that trace the development of particular topics or controversies in ecology. I have provided a brief description and rationale for each.
On the Net The World Wide Web provides one of the most powerful tools to help keep abreast of changes in ecology. A broad range of applicable Internet sites are just a click away on the Online Learning Center that accompanies this edition. Practice quizzing, articles on current ecological and environmental issues, and a variety of teaching aids are also available online at http://www.mhhe.com/ecology.
End-of-Book Material
References are an important part of any scientific work. However, many undergraduates are distracted by a large number of references within the text. One of the goals of a general ecology course should be to introduce these students to the primary literature without burying them in citations. The number of citations has been reduced to those necessary to support detailed discussions of particular research projects.
Appendices Three appendices, "Abbreviations Used in This Text," "List of Chapter Concepts," and "Statistical Tables" are available to the student for reference and as study aids.
Glossary
Index
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2005 McGraw-Hill Higher Education