Theoretical Ecology Concepts and Models with R

About this book

Theoretical ecology explores the mechanisms that structure ecological communities using a variety of mathematical and computational tools. Theoretical Ecology shows you how to translate ecological problems into mechanistic models using both mathematics and the programming language R. The book teaches key concepts and core quantitative skills while also devoting significant attention to the reasons for building mathematical ecological models. Why do species populations fluctuate over time and space? How do multiple species coexist? What forces drive nutrient and carbon cycles? Does higher species diversity lead to higher biomass? Each chapter in this incisive and informative book is motivated by questions like these, and every chapter includes boxes that delve into mathematical details and provide coding examples in R.

- Focuses on mathematical and computational methods while also drawing on conceptual and graphical approaches, and explores how the various approaches complement one another
- Teaches students the skills they need to implement and analyze ecological models in R
- Covers topics ranging from single-species, competition, and predator-prey models to community ecology, island biogeography, and nutrient-flux models
- Provides exercises of gradated difficulty at the end of every chapter
- Ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate classrooms and for independent study
- Includes a road map for class planning and self-study

Contents

Preface

1. Simple discrete-time models of single populations
2. Density dependence I: Equilibria and stability
3. Density dependence II: Cycles and chaos
4. Continuous-time models
5. Stage-structured models
6. Age-structured models
7. Metapopulation models
8. Spatial models
9. Multispecies discrete-time models
10. Multispecies continuous-time models
11. Introduction to community ecology
12. Competitive interactions
13. Predator–prey interactions
14. Island biogeography theory
15. Metacommunity theory
16. Neutral ecological theory
17. Towards unified models of community ecology
18. Dynamic vegetation models
19. Carbon- and nutrient-flux models
20. Biomass–diversity models

Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

Ryan Chisholm is an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the National University of Singapore and a leading theoretical ecologist.