Evolution and Ecology: The Pace of Life

Series: Cambridge Studies in Ecology

By: KD Bennett

241 pages, Figs, tabs, maps

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

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ISBN: 9780521399210 Paperback Dec 1996 Not in stock: Usually dispatched within 1-2 weeks
£57.00
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ISBN: 9780521390286 Hardback Dec 1996 Not in stock: Usually dispatched within 1-2 weeks
£121.00
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About this book

Palaeoecological evidence, presented in this book, argues that evolutionary processes visible in ecological time do not build up into macroevolutionary trends, thus arguing against Darwin's original thesis. |The author discusses how climatic oscillations on ice-age time-scales are paced by variations in the Earth's orbit, and have thus been a permanent feature of Earth history. There is, however, little evidence for macroevolutionary change in response to these climatic changes, suggesting that over geological time macroevolution does not occur as a result of accumulated short term processes. These conclusions are used to construct a post-modern evolutionary synthesis in which evolution and ecology play an equal role.

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Development of ideas; 3. Orbital-forcing of climatic oscillations; 4. Geological evidence for orbital-forcing; 5. Biological response: distribution; 6. Biological response: evolution; 7. Biological response: extinction; 8. Evolution and ecology: synthesis; References; Index.

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Series: Cambridge Studies in Ecology

By: KD Bennett

241 pages, Figs, tabs, maps

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Media reviews

'... stimulating and thought-provoking.' Peter D. Moore, Biologist ' ... useful and thought-provoking ... I recommend this book for palaeoclimatologists and biologists alike for a new perspective on the link between orbital-scale climate change and biological processes.' Endeavour ' ... unlike any current text dealing with pre-Quaternary palaeoecology ... This volume is innovative and timely. It deserves to be read by all palaeoecologists, irrespective of the geological period upon which they work, and should be required reading for anyone about to embark on producing a geological or ecological text.' The Holocene 'This volume is innovative and timely. It deserves to be read by all paleaoecologists ... and should be required reading for anyone about to embark on producing a geological or ecological text.' F. M. Chambers, The Holocene 'Bennett has provided a thought-provoking book that should interest a broad audience of evolutionary biologists, ecologists, and Quaternary scientists. The synthesis he provides should encourage players from all three specialities to begin sharing the same field.' Anthony D. Barnosky, Montana State University 'This is a challenging and thought-provoking book.' Mike Walker, Quaternary Science Reviews

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