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Fundamental Processes in Ecology presents a way to study ecosystems
that is not yet available in ecology textbooks but is resonant with
current thinking in the emerging fields of geobiology and Earth
System Science. It provides an alternative, process-based
classification of ecology and proposes a truly planetary view of
ecological science. To achieve this, it asks (and endeavours to
answer) the question, "what are the fundamental ecological
processes which would be found on any planet with Earth-like,
carbon based, life?" The author demonstrates how the idea of
fundamental ecological processes can be developed at the systems
level, specifically their involvement in control and feedback
mechanisms. This approach allows us to reconsider basic ecological
ideas such as energy flow, guilds, trade-offs, carbon cycling and
photosynthesis; and to put these in a global context. In doing so,
the book puts a much stronger emphasis on microorganisms than has
traditionally been the case.
The integration of Earth System Science with ecology is vitally
important if ecological science is to successfully contribute to
the massive problems and future challenges associated with global
change. Although the approach is heavily influenced by Lovelock's
Gaia hypothesis, this is not a popular science book about Gaian
theory. Instead it is written as an accessible text for graduate
student seminar courses and researchers in the fields of ecology,
earth system science, evolutionary biology, palaeontology, history
of life, astrobiology, geology and physical geography.
Why do we age? Why cooperate? Why do so many species engage in sex?
Why do the tropics have so many species? When did humans start to
affect world climate?
This book provides an introduction to a range of fundamental
questions that have taxed evolutionary biologists and ecologists
for decades. Some of the phenomena discussed are, on first
reflection, simply puzzling to understand from an evolutionary
perspective, whilst others have direct implications for the future
of the planet. All of the questions posed have at least a partial
solution, all have seen exciting breakthroughs in recent years, yet
many of the explanations continue to be hotly debated.
Big Questions in Ecology and Evolution is a curiosity-driven book,
written in an accessible way so as to appeal to a broad audience.
It is very deliberately not a formal text book, but something
designed to transmit the excitement and breadth of the field by
discussing a number of major questions in ecology and evolution and
how they have been answered. This is a book aimed at informing and
inspiring anybody with an interest in ecology and evolution. It
reveals to the reader the immense scope of the field, its
fundamental importance, and the exciting breakthroughs that have
been made in recent years.
Fundamental Processes in Ecology presents a way to study ecosystems
that is not yet available in ecology textbooks but is resonant with
current thinking in the emerging fields of geobiology and Earth
System Science. It provides an alternative, process-based
classification of ecology and proposes a truly planetary view of
ecological science. To achieve this, it asks (and endeavours to
answer) the question, "what are the fundamental ecological
processes which would be found on any planet with Earth-like,
carbon based, life?"
The author demonstrates how the idea of fundamental ecological
processes can be developed at the systems level, specifically their
involvement in control and feedback mechanisms. This approach
allows us to reconsider basic ecological ideas such as energy flow,
guilds, trade-offs, carbon cycling and photosynthesis; and to put
these in a global context. In doing so, the book puts a much
stronger emphasis on microorganisms than has traditionally been the
case.
The integration of Earth System Science with ecology is vitally
important if ecological science is to successfully contribute to
the massive problems and future challenges associated with global
change. Although the approach is heavily influenced by Lovelock's
Gaia hypothesis, this is not a popular science book about Gaian
theory. Instead it is written as an accessible text for graduate
student seminar courses and researchers in the fields of ecology,
earth system science, evolutionary biology, palaeontology, history
of life, astrobiology, geology and physical geography.
Why do we age? Why cooperate? Why do so many species engage in sex?
Why do the tropics have so many species? When did humans start to
affect world climate?
This book provides an introduction to a range of fundamental
questions that have taxed evolutionary biologists and ecologists
for decades. Some of the phenomena discussed are, on first
reflection, simply puzzling to understand from an evolutionary
perspective, whilst others have direct implications for the future
of the planet. All of the questions posed have at least a partial
solution, all have seen exciting breakthroughs in recent years, yet
many of the explanations continue to be hotly debated.
Big Questions in Ecology and Evolution is a curiosity-driven book,
written in an accessible way so as to appeal to a broad audience.
It is very deliberately not a formal text book, but something
designed to transmit the excitement and breadth of the field by
discussing a number of major questions in ecology and evolution and
how they have been answered. This is a book aimed at informing and
inspiring anybody with an interest in ecology and evolution. It
reveals to the reader the immense scope of the field, its
fundamental importance, and the exciting breakthroughs that have
been made in recent years.
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