![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/sites/dl/free/0072452706/title/CUNNINGHAM1E_sm.jpg) Principles of Environmental Science William P. Cunningham,
University of Minnesota Mary Ann Cunningham,
Vassar College
Populations, Communities, and Species Interaction
Further Readings
| | Allaby, Michael.. (1999.). A dictionary of Plant Sciences 2nd ed.. Oxford, UK:: Oxford University Press.. A comprehensive introduction to botany. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Altieri, M.A.. (1999.). The ecological role of biodiversity in agroecosystems.. : Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. (74: 19-31.). Biodiversity is not just important in wilderness preserves. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Baskin, Y.. (1999.). The Work of Nature: How the Diversity of Life Sustains Us.. Covelo, CA:: Island Press.. The benefits of biodiversity. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Bolnick, Daniel I.. (2001.). "Intraspecific competition favours niche width expansion in Drosophila melanogaster,". : Nature. (410 (6827): 463 - 466.). When interspecific competition is reduced, competition within a species becomes a potent evolutionary force leading to rapid diversification. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Bright, Christopher.. (1999). "Invasive Species: Pathogens of Globalization." .. : Foreign Policy. With increased world trade, invasive species have become a policy issue as well as an ecological threat. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Bronmark, Christer and Lars-Anders Hansson.. (1989.). The Biology of Lakes and Ponds.. Oxford, UK:: Oxford University Press.. A good introductory text in limnology. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Buchmann, Stephen L. and Gary Paul Nabhan.. (1996.). The Forgotten Pollinators.. Covelo, CA:: Island Press.. A lively and fascinating account of the ecological and cultural context of plant-pollinator relationships. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Cao, Tim (ed).. (1998.). Behaviorial Ecology and Conservation Biology.. Oxford, UK:: Oxford University Press.. An interesting attempt to link behavioral ecology and conservation biology. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Chapin, F.S., et al.. (1997.). "Biotic Control Over the Functioning of Ecosystems,". : Science. (277(5325):500-504.). Biological communities shape their environments. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Cox, J. and R.T. Engstrom.. (2001.). "Influence of the spatial pattern of conserved lands on the persistence of a large population of red-cockaded woodpeckers". : Biological Conservation.. (100 (1): 137-150.). GIS can be a useful tool in analyzing landscape patterns and connectivity between habitat patches. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| DeMorales, C. M. et al.. (2001.). "Caterpillar-induced nocturnal plant volatiles repel conspecific females.. : Nature. (410 (6828): 577-580.). Plants respond to insect herbivory by synthesizing and releasing complex blends of volatile compounds. Insects use these chemicals as clues for avoiding competition. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Doolittle, W. F.. (2000.). "Uprooting the Tree of Life,". : Scientific American. (282(2): 90-95.). A new look at evolutionary relationships suggests many more interconnections than previously thought. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Douds, D.D. and P.D. Millner.. (1999.). "Biodiversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agroecosystems".. : Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. (74:77-93.). An introduction to the important symbiotic relationships between soil fungi and higher plants. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Driscoll, Don A.. (1998). "Genetic Structure, Metapopulation Processes and Evolution Influence the Conservation Strategies for Two Endangered Frog Species,". : Biological Conservation. (83(1):43-54.). An undertaking of the genetic structure of a population is vital to conservation efforts. This article gives a specific example of this importance. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Fahrig, Lenore.. (1997.). "Relative Effects of Habitat Loss and Fragmentation on Population Extinction,". : The Journal of Wildlife Management. (61:603-610.). Presents information that indicates that habitat loss has a greater effect on species extinction than does habitat fragmentation. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
Monitoring populations. | Gibbs, J.P.. (2000.). Boitani, L. and T.K. Fuller (Eds.). New York:: Columbia University Press.. (Pp: 213-247). Research techniques in animal ecology. Discusses technical issues in monitoring wildlife populations. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Hanski, Ilkka.. (1999.). Metapopulation Ecology.. Oxford, UK:: Oxford University Press.. An overview of theory and empirical studies in population ecology. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Howard, D. J. and S. H. Berlocher.. (1998.). Endless forms: Species and Speciation.. Cambridge, MA:: MIT Press.. A compendium of modern understanding of evolution. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Hooper, D.U., et . al.. (1997). "The Effects of Plant Composition and Diversity on Ecosystem Processes,". : Science. (277(5330):1302-1305). Contrary to modelers' predictions, biodiversity does play a role in stability. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Hughes, J.B., G.C. Daily, and P.R. Ehrlich.. (1997.). "Population Diversity: Its Extent and Extinction,". : Science. (278(5338):689-692.). An attempt to estimate the losses of distinct populations within species. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Humphries, Christopher J.. (1999.). Clasdistic Biogeography.. Oxford, UK:: The Oxford University Press.. Cladistics uses distribution patterns of species to study their historic and evolutionary relationships. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Lichatowich, J.. (1999). Salmon Without Rivers. Covelo, CA:: Island Press. A history of the Pacific salmon crisis. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| .MacArthur, R. H., and E. O. Wilson. (1963). "An equilibrium theory of insular zoogeography.". : Evolution. (17:373-387). The classic study of island biogeography and one of the most influential papers in all of ecology. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Matteson, S. W., et al.. (1999.). "Changes in the status, distribution, and management of Double-crested Cormorants in Wisconsin".. : In USDA Tech. Bull. No. 1879. Symposium on Double-crested Cormorants: Population Status and Management Issues in the Midwest.. (p. 27-46. December 1999.). Discusses the causes and effects of a population explosion of cormorants in the Great Lakes. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Mauchamp, A.. (1997.). "Threats from Alien Plant Species in the Galapagos Islands,". : Conservation Biology. (11(1):260-263.). An example of the effects introduced species have on endemic flora and fauna. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| McCullough, Dale R., ed.. (1996.). Metapopulations and Wildlife Conservation.. Covelo, CA:: Island Press.. Metapopulation theory is an important development in both conservation biology and wildlife management. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| McNab, B.K.. (1983.). "Ecological and behavioral consequences of adaptation to various food sources" in: Eisenberg, J.F. and D.G. Kleiman (Eds.) Advances in the study of Mammalian behavior.. : American Society of Mammalogists,. (special pub. no. 7, p. 664-697.). A classic study of evolutionary adaptation and specialization. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Meffe, G. K. and C. R. Carroll.. (1997.). Principles of Conservation Biology (2nd ed.).. : . An excellent introduction to conservation biology and population ecology. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Morell, Virginia.. (1997.). "On the Origin of (Amazonian) Species,". : Discover. (18(4):56-64.). An interesting account of a taxonomic expedition to the Amazon. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Moritz, C., et al.. (1997.). "Genetic Population Structure of the Greater Bilby Macrotis Lagotis, a Marsupial in Decline,". : Molecular Ecology. (6(10):925-936.).
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| Nadkarni, Nalini M. and N. T. Wheelwright.. (2000.). Monteverde: Ecology and Conservation of a Tropical Cloud Forest.. Cambridge, MA:: MIT Press.. A comprehensive study of the ecology and biodiversity of a Costa Rican cloud forest. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Nee, S. and R.M. May.. (1997.). "Extinction and the Loss of Evolutionary History,". : Science. (278(5338):692-694.). The conditions under which species have evolved can never be recreated exactly. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Nielsen, Claus.. (2001.). Animal Evolution: Interrelationships of the Living Phyla (2nd ed).. Cambridge, MA:: MIT Press.. Analyzes the evolutionary relationships of the animal kingdom. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Orians, G.H.. (1997.). "Biodiversity and Terrestrial Ecosystem Processes,". : Science and Progress.. (80(Part 1):45-63.). Diversity is an important ecological factor. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Packer, C. and T.M. Caro.. (1997.). "Foraging Costs in Social Carnivores,". : Animal Behavior. (54(5): 1317-1318.). An examination of cooperation and selfishness among African lions. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Paracer, S. and V. Ahmadjian.. (2000.). Symbiosis: An Introduction to Biological Associations.. Oxford, UK:: Oxford University Press.. An introduction to all aspects of symbiosis. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Pletcher, Daniel H., et al.. (1997.). "Population Dynamics of a Recolonizing Wolf Population,". : The Journal of Wildlife Management. (61:459-465.). A detailed example of population changes within a group of gray wolves. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Quammen, David.. (1997.). The Song of the Dodo : Island Biogeography in an Age of Extinctions. New York:: Touchstone Books.. A delightfully written account of adventure travel and the search for biodiversity. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Quammen, David.. (1998.). "Planet of Weeds.". : Harper's. (October, 1998.). With the loss of native species and invasions of exotics, we may soon live in a world of weeds. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Ricklefs, R. E.. (1997.). The Economy of Nature (4th ed.).. New York:: W.H. Freeman and Co.. A highly recommended textbook in basic ecology. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Roberts, B.W. and M.E. Newman.. (1996.). "A Model for Evolution and Extinction,". : Journal of Theoretical Biology. (180(1):39-54.). New ideas about what drives evolution and extinction. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Safina, Carl.. (2001.). "Albatross Wanderings,". : Audubon. (103(1):70-77, 85.). A fascinating account of the travels of an albatross as it searches for food for its chick. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Schaller, G.B., et al.. (1989.). "The feeding ecology of giant pandas and Asiatic black bears in the Tangjiahe Reserve, China in: Gittleman" in J.L. (Ed.) Carnivore behavior, ecology and evolution.. Ithaca:: Cornell University Press,.. (p 212-241.). A classic study of the effects of specialized diet on panda populations in China. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Simberloff, D.. (1997.). "Flagships, umbrellas, and keystones: is single-species management passë; in the landscape era?". : Biological Conservation. (83:247-257.). A good discussion of the concept of keystone species. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Smith, Nigel J. H.. (1999.). The Amazon river forest: A Natural History of Plants, Animals, and People.. Oxford, UK:: Oxford University Press.. A comprehensive exploration of the ecology and human culture of the Amazon. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Smith, R. L.. (1990.). Ecology and Field Biology (4th ed.). New York:: Harper and Row.. A classic field ecology text. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Stiassny, M. L. J. and A. Meyer.. ("These fish exhibit some of the fastest speciation of any biological group, but human changes in their native lakes threatens their amazing diversity.). "Cichlids of the Rift Lakes,". Scientific American: 1999.. 280(2):64-69. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Thomas, R.C., et al.. (1997.). "The Conservation of a Fragmented Ecosystem within a Cultural Landscape: the Case of an Ancient Woodland in England,". : . (82(3):243-252.). Biological Conservation | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Tilman, D.. (1999.). "Diversity and Production in European Grasslands,". : Science (US). (286: 1099-1100, November 5, 1999.). Contrary to predictions from simple models, diversity can protect biological communities from disturbance. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Tilman, David, et al.. (1997.). "The Influence of Functional Diversity and Composition on Ecosystem Processes,". : Science. (277(5330): 1300-1302.). Field evidence that biodiversity is important in ecological stability and resilience. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Topff, Howard.. (1999.). "Slave-making queens.". : Scientific American. (281 (5): 84-90.). Parasitic ants invade the colonies of other ants, kill their rulers, and enslave the workers. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Volpe, E. Peter and Peter A. Rosenbaum.. (1999.). UNDERSTANDING EVOLUTION, 6th ed.. New York:: McGraw-Hill Co.. An introduction to principles of evolution. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Wardle, D.A., et al.. (1997). "The Influence of Island Area on Ecosystem Properties,". : Science. (277(5330): 1296-1299.).
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| Wedin, David A. and David Tilman.. (1996.). "Influence of Nitrogen Loading and Species Composition on the Carbon Balance of Grasslands,". : Science. (274(5293):1720-1724.). Excess nitrogen tends to favor weedy species in grassland communities. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Whittaker, Robert J.. (1999.). Island Biogeography: Ecology, Evolution and Conservation.. Oxford, UK:: Oxford University Press.. An excellent introduction to the science of island biogeography and its conservation implications. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
| Wroe, Stephen.. (1999.). "Killer kangaroos and other murderous marsupials.". : Scientific American. (280(5): 68-74.). Australian mammals were not all as cute as koalas. Some were as ferocious as they were bizarre. An interesting account of how evolution fills equivalent ecological roles in different biological communities. | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) |
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