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Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Zoology & animal sciences > Animal ecology
Biogeography has renewed its concepts and methods following
important recent advances in phylogenetics, macroecology, and
geographic information systems. In parallel, the evolutionary
ecology of host-parasite interactions has attracted the interests
of numerous studies dealing with life-history traits evolution,
community ecology, and evolutionary epidemiology.
Comprising a substantial part of living biomass on earth, ants are
integral to the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. More than
12,500 species have been described to date, and it is estimated
that perhaps as many still await classification.
The editors utilize their 50 years of combined experience in
professional engagement with the behaviour and ecology of wild
felids to draw together a unique network of the world's most
respected and knowledgeable experts. For the first time, this
inter-disciplinary research programme is brought together within a
single volume.
The editors utilize their 50 years of combined experience in
professional engagement with the behaviour and ecology of wild
felids to draw together a unique network of the world's most
respected and knowledgeable experts. For the first time, this
inter-disciplinary research programme is brought together within a
single volume.
Birds have colonized almost every terrestrial habitat on the planet - from the poles to the tropics, and from deserts to high mountain tops. Ecological and Environmental Physiology of Birds focuses on our current understanding of the unique physiological characteristics of birds that are of particular interest to ornithologists, but also have a wider biological relevance. An introductory chapter covers the basic avian body plan and their still-enigmatic evolutionary history. The focus then shifts to a consideration of the essential components of that most fundamental of avian attributes: the ability to fly. The emphasis here is on feather evolution and development, flight energetics and aerodynamics, migration, and as a counterpoint, the curious secondary evolution of flightlessness that has occurred in several lineages. This sets the stage for subsequent chapters, which present specific physiological topics within a strongly ecological and environmental framework. These include gas exchange, thermal and osmotic balance, 'classical' life history parameters (male and female reproductive costs, parental care and investment in offspring, and fecundity versus longevity tradeoffs), feeding and digestive physiology, adaptations to challenging environments (high altitude, deserts, marine habitats, cold), and neural specializations (notably those important in foraging, long-distance navigation, and song production). Throughout the book classical studies are integrated with the latest research findings. Numerous important and intriguing questions await further work, and the book concludes with a discussion of methods (emphasizing cutting-edge technology), approaches, and future research directions.
Bioinvasions and Globalization synthesises our current knowledge of
the ecology and economics of biological invasions, providing an
in-depth evaluation of the science and its implications for
managing the causes and consequences of one of the most pressing
environmental issues facing humanity today.
Comprising a substantial part of living biomass on earth, ants are
integral to the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. More than
12,500 species have been described to date, and it is estimated
that perhaps as many still await classification.
Community ecology is the study of the interactions between
populations of co-existing species. Co-edited by two prominent
community ecologists and featuring contributions from top
researchers in the field, this book provides a survey of the
state-of-the-art in both the theory and applications of the
discipline. It pays special attention to topology, dynamics, and
the importance of spatial and temporal scale while also looking at
applications to emerging problems in human-dominated ecosystems
(including the restoration and reconstruction of viable
communities).
With up to a quarter of all insect species heading towards
extinction over the next few decades, there is now a pressing need
to summarize the techniques available for measuring insect
diversity in order to develop effective conservation strategies.
Invasive alien species are a major and growing threat to
biodiversity worldwide. The transport of organisms through
increased levels of trade and tourism is leading to the widespread
breaching of natural biogeographic barriers at unprecedented rates.
Consequences can be severe, especially in naturally isolated
ecosystems. Invasive alien species can cause the extinction of
vulnerable endemic species, alter the structure and composition of
communities, disrupt successional pathways, and lead to the loss of
ecosystem services. Global climate change may further exacerbate
the spread of alien species, as climatic zones shift and potential
ranges alter.
Biological invaders represent one of the primary threats to the
maintenance of global biodiversity, human health, and the success
of human economic enterprises. The continuing globalization of our
society ensures that the need to understand the process of
biological invasion will only increase in the future. There is also
a growing recognition that the study of biological invaders
provides a unique insight into basic questions in ecology and
evolution.
'Predators are the best wildlife managers, ' writes George Schaller. They weed out the sick and old and keep herds healthy and alert. Yet the large predators of the world have been and are still being exterminated because they are thought to harm wildlife. Schaller's award-winning work, based on three years of study in the Serengeti National Park, describes the impact of the lion and other predators on the vast herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle for which the area is famous.
The study of life in our universe has been given the name
'astrobiology'. It is a relatively new subject, but not a new
discipline since it brings together several mature fields of
science including astronomy, geology, biology, and climatology. An
understanding of the singular conditions that allowed the only
example of life that we know exists to emerge and survive on our
turbulent planet is essential if we are to seek answers to two
fundamental questions facing humanity: will life (and especially
human life) continue on Earth, and does life exist elsewhere in the
universe?
This new edition offers a concise but comprehensive introduction to
rocky shore ecology and has been completely revised and updated
throughout. It describes the diverse biota (invertebrates,
vertebrates, seaweeds, seagrasses and microalgae) that inhabit
rocky shores, and the factors that determine their distributions,
abundances and interactions. The book discusses the latest research
on processes that control community structure, utilizing a global
range of examples from a wide range of shore types - both temperate
and tropical.
This new edition offers a concise but comprehensive introduction to
rocky shore ecology and has been completely and updated throughout.
It describes the diverse biota (invertebrates, vertebrates,
seaweeds, seagrasses and microalgae) that inhabit rocky shores, and
the factors that determine their distributions, abundances and
interactions. The book discusses the latest research on processes
that control community structure, utilizing a global range of
examples from a wide range of shore types - both temperate and
tropical.
Synthesizing studies of parental care in a wide variety of animals, this book is the first attempt to provide general answers to the following important questions: Why does the extent of parental care vary so widely between species? Why do only females care for eggs and young in some animals, only males in others, and both parents in a few? To what extent is parental care adjusted to variation in its benefits to offspring and its costs to parents? How do parents divide their resources between their sons and daughters? In this book separate chapters examine the evolution of variation in egg and neonate size, of viviparity and other forms of bearing, and of differences in the duration of incubation, gestation, and lactation. The book reviews theoretical and empirical predictions concerning the evolution of parental care and examines the extent to which these are supported by empirical evidence. The author examines the distribution of parental care among offspring, reviews the empirical evidence that parents invest to different extents in their sons and daughters, and discusses the degree to which parents manipulate the sex ratio of their progeny in relation to the availability of resources.
This advanced text focuses on the uses of distance sampling to
estimate the density and abundance of biological populations. It
addresses new methodologies, new technologies and recent
developments in statistical theory and is the follow up companion
to Introduction to Distance Sampling (OUP, 2001).
Robert May's seminal book has played a central role in the
development of ecological science. Originally published in 1976,
this influential text has overseen the transition of ecology from
an observational and descriptive subject to one with a solid
conceptual core. Indeed, it is a testament to its influence that a
great deal of the novel material presented in the earlier editions
has now been incorporated into standard undergraduate textbooks. It
is now a quarter of a century since the publication of the second
edition, and a thorough revision is timely.
Otters are highly charismatic and popular animals of very
considerable concern to conservationists worldwide. Written by the
pre-eminent authority in the field, this book builds on the
reputation of the author's landmark monograph of the European
otter, Wild Otters (OUP, 1995). Furthermore, its broader scope to
include all species of otter in North America as well as Europe and
elsewhere leads to a deeper synthesis that greatly expands the
book's overall relevance and potential readership.
Why are some kinds of organism species-rich and others species-poor? How do new species arise and why do some go extinct? Why do organisms grow and behave the way they do? This book provides an introduction to evolutionary ecology, the science that brings ecology and evolution together to help understand biological diversity. In a concise, readable format, Peter Mayhew covers the entire breadth of the subject, from life histories and the evolution of sex, to speciation and macroecology. Many emerging fields are also introduced, such as metabolic ecology, the evolution of population dynamics, and the evolution of global ecology. Discovering Evolutionary Ecology highlights the connections between these different subject areas, and for the first time paints a picture of a truly integrated field. It illustrates the research tools utilized, and demonstrates how advances in one area can spur on developments elsewhere when scientists combine evolutionary and ecological knowledge. To maximize accessibility, the book assumes only a basic knowledge of biology, includes a comprehensive glossary, and contains almost no maths. Each chapter provides suggestions for further reading, and there is also an extensive reference list. Ideal as an introduction to evolutionary ecology for undergraduates, this book will also interest established researchers, providing a broad and up-to-date context for their work.
Every three years a major international conference on bats draws the leading workers in the field to a carefully orchestrated presentation of the research and advances and current state of understanding of bat biology. Bats are the second most populous group of mammalia species, after rodents, and they are probably the most intensively studied group of mammals. Virtually all mammologists and a large proportion of organismic biologists are interested in bats. The earlier two edited books deriving from previous bat research conferences, as well as this one, have been rigorously edited by Tom Kunz and others, with all chapters subjected to peer review. The resulting volumes, published first by Academic Press and most recently by Smithsonian, have sold widely as the definitive synthetic treatments of current scientific understanding of bats.
Temporary waters are found throughout the world, and include intermittent streams and ponds, episodic rain puddles, seasonal limestone lakes, the water-retaining structures of plants, such as bromeliads and pitcher plants, and a variety of man-made container habitats. They are probably populated by various plant, animal, and microscopic communities ranging from the very simple to the highly complex. Temporary waters therefore represent fascinating and significant arenas in which to study the properties of species, as the latter deal with the rigours of living in highly variable environments. Obligate temporary water species display a remarkable array of adaptations to the periodic loss of their primary medium that largely set them apart from the inhabitants of permanent water bodies. Survival of individuals frequently depends upon exceptional physiological tolerance or effective migrational abilities that are timed to appropriate habitat phases. Quite apart from their inherent biological interest, temporary waters are now in the limelight from a conservation perspective as these habitats come more and more into conflict with human activities. Traditionally, many temporary waters (be they ponds, pools, streams, or wetlands) have been considered to be 'wasted' areas of land, potentially convertible to agriculture once drained. In reality, they are natural features of the global landscape that represent distinct and unique habitats for many species, some that are found nowhere else and others that reach their maximum abundance and/or genetic diversity there. Temporary waters are also very important from a human health perspective since they function as breeding places for the vectors of many disease organisms, including those that spread malaria, schistosomiasis, yellow fever, and dengue. Most of these exact a high toll in terms of global human suffering and reduced regional economies. This book collates and synthesises the highly scattered and diverse global literature on pure and applied aspects of these habitats and their biota. It examines the ecology of temporary waters in both natural and human environments, and seeks to identify common evolutionary themes. It will be of particular interest to aquatic ecologists, invertebrate and vertebrate biologists, environmental biologists, wetland managers and conservationists, those charged with controlling water-associated diseases, entomologists, educators, and natural historians.
The cuckoos are the most variable birds in social behavior and
parental care: a few cuckoos are among the most social of all birds
and rear their young in a common nest; most cuckoos are caring
parents that rear their own young with some females laying a few
eggs in the nests of others; while many cuckoo species are brood
parasites who leave their eggs in the nests of other birds to rear,
with their young maturing to kill their foster nestmates. In The
Cuckoos, Robert B. Payne presents a new evolutionary history of the
family based on molecular genetics, and uses the family tree to
explore the origins and diversity of their behaviour. He traces
details of the cuckoos' biology to their original sources, includes
descriptions of previously unpublished field observations, and
reveals new comparisons of songs showing previously overlooked
cuckoo species. Lavishly illustrated with specially commissioned
color plates and numerous maps, halftones, and line drawings, The
Cuckoos provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date account of
this family yet available.
For several years there has been a growing interest in understanding the dynamics of parasites in ecosystems, as well as the diversity of ways in which they influence ecosystem functioning through their effects on host populations and communities. Ecologists, epidemiologists, evolutionary biologists, and other scientists are increasingly coming to realise that parasites must be taken into account when studying ecosystems. Parasitism and Ecosystems summarizes current knowledge on this topic, providing a comprehensive overview for researchers and students. It represents the first synthesis of both the roles and the consequences of pathogens in ecosystems, utilizing well-documented case-studies to illustrate the main issues as well as identifying prospects for future research.
This advanced text focuses on the uses of distance sampling to estimate the density and abundance of biological populations. It addresses new methodologies, new technologies and recent developments in statistical theory and is the follow up companion to Introduction to Distance Sampling (OUP, 2001). In this text, a general theoretical basis is established for methods of estimating animal abundance from sightings surveys, and a wide range of approaches to analysis of sightings data is explored. These approaches include: modelling animal detectability as a function of covariates, where the effects of habitat, observer, weather, etc. on detectability can be assessed; estimating animal density as a function of location, allowing for example animal density to be related to habitat and other locational covariates; estimating change over time in populations, a necessary aspect of any monitoring programme; estimation when detection of animals on the line or at the point is uncertain, as often occurs for marine populations, or when the survey region has dense cover; survey design and automated design algorithms, allowing rapid generation of sound survey designs using geographic information systems; adaptive distance sampling methods, which concentrate survey effort in areas of high animal density; passive distance sampling methods, which extend the application of distance sampling to species that cannot be readily detected in sightings surveys, but can be trapped; and testing of methods by simulation, so that performance of the approach in varying circumstances can be assessed. Authored by a leading team this text is aimed at professionals in government and environment agencies, statisticians, biologists, wildlife managers, conservation biologists and ecologists, as well as graduate students, studying the density and abundance of biological populations. |
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