This pioneering volume explores time series analysis and interpretation using a wide range of methods and examples from terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecology. The book challenges readers to discern interdisciplinary processes that can unify fields as diverse as climatology and epidemiology. The first section of the book explores the basic concepts of environmental analysis, reviews state-of-the-art techniques and methodologies, and offers innovative solutions to analytical problems of longer time series with special attention to climate change, providing the reader with the conceptual and methodological tools to analyze environmental data accurately. The second section examines a variety of time scales used to describe change, and the variability within and between different ecosystems, so that diverse systems may be studied in an integrated way. The final section of the book illustrates key concepts and themes, based on the results of major investigations in various time scales, including studies from arctic sites to human epidemiology. Investigating time series in the context of ecological functions such as population processes, community structure, and patch dynamics, this insightful volume will stimulate cross fertilization among the ecological disciplines. The broad spectrum of ideas and applications examined in this volume makes it a useful resource for all ecologists.

From the preface by Joel E. Cohen: "A century from now humanity will live in a managed - or mismanaged - global garden. We are debating the need to preserve tropical forests. Farming of the sea is providing an increasing part of our fish supply. We are beginning to control atmospheric emissions. In 100 years, we shall use novel farming practices and genetic engineering of bacteria to manipulate the methane production of rice fields. The continental shelf will be providing food, energy, possibly even living space. To make such intensive management possible will require massive improvements in data collection and analysis, and especially in our concepts. A century hence we will live on a wired earth: the oceans and the crust of the earth will receive the same comprehensive monitoring now devoted to weather. As the peoples of currently developing countries increase their levels of wealth, the need for global management will become irresistible as impatience with the accidents of nature and intolerance of mismanagement of the environment - especially of living resources - grow. Our control of physical perturbations and chemical inputs to the environment will be judged by the consequences to living organisms and biological communities. How can we obtain the factual and theoretical foundation needed to move from our present, fragmented knowledge and limited abilities to a managed, global garden?" This problem was addressed in the lectures and workshops of a summer school on patch dynamics at Cornell University. The school emphasized the analysis and interpretation of spatial patterns in terrestrial and marine environments. This book contains the course material of this school, combining general reviews with specific applications.