Essentials of Ecology

Part I-Introduction 1. Ecology and How To Do It 2. The Ecology of Evolution Part II- Conditions and Resources 3. Physical Conditions and the Availability of Resources 4. Conditions, Resources, and the World's Communities Part III- Individuals, Populations, Communities, and Ecosystems 5. Birth, Death, and Movement 6. Interspecific Competition 7. Organisms as Habitats 8. Predation, Grazing, and Disease 9. Population Processes--The Big Picture 10. Patterns in Species Richness 11. The Flux of Energy and matter through Ecosystems Part IV- Applied Issues in Ecology 12. Sustainability 13. Pollution 14. Conservation

In a concise, engaging style, this book contains the essential principles of ecology from theoretical to their practical applications. (Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, July/August 2008) "The new edition also features new artwork and an enhanced design, making Essentials of Ecology as attractive as it is up-to-date and relevant." (Biotechnologie, Agronomie Societe et Environment)

Colin R. Townsend is the Director of the Ecology, Conservation and Biodiversity Research Group at the University of Otago. He has published over 150 ecology papers and books, including the best-selling and award-winning Ecology, 4th Edition, with co-authors Michael Begon and John L. Harper. He is also co-editor of the international journal Freshwater Biology. Michael Begon is Professor of Ecology in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Liverpool. He has authored several books in addition to Ecology and around 150 research articles. His current research interests are focused on the population ecology of pathogens in wildlife populations. John L. Harper is an award-winning biologist and a leading figure in plant population biology. He has served as a council member of the Fellowship of the Royal Society and received the Darwin Arward in 1990. He is also the author of Population Biology of Plants and a co-author of Ecology.