Introduction to Population Ecology, 2nd Edition

Introduction to Population Ecology, 2ndEdition is a comprehensive textbook covering all aspectsof population ecology.  It uses a wide variety of field andlaboratory examples, botanical to zoological, from the tropics tothe tundra, to illustrate the fundamental laws of populationecology. Controversies in population ecology are brought fully upto date in this edition, with many brand new and revised examplesand data.

Each chapter provides an overview of how population theory hasdeveloped, followed by descriptions of laboratory and field studiesthat have been inspired by the theory. Topics explored includesingle-species population growth and self-limitation, lifehistories, metapopulations and a wide range of interspecificinteractions including competition, mutualism, parasite-host,predator-prey and plant-herbivore. An additional final chapter, newfor the second edition, considers multi-trophic and other complexinteractions among species.

Throughout the book, the mathematics involved is explained with astep-by-step approach, and graphs and other
visual aids are used to present a clear illustration of how themodels work. Such features make this an accessible introduction topopulation ecology; essential reading for undergraduate andgraduate students taking courses in population ecology, appliedecology, conservation ecology, and conservation biology, includingthose with little mathematical experience.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Single species populations
Chapter 1: Density independent growth
Chapter 2: Density dependent growth and intraspecific competition
Chapter 3: Population regulation
Chapter 4: Populations with age structures
Chapter 5: Metapopulation ecology
Chapter 6: Life history strategies

Part 2: Interspecific interactions among populations
Chapter 7: Interspecific competition
Chapter 8: Mutualism
Chapter 9: Host–parasite interactions
Chapter 10: Predator/prey interactions
Chapter 11: Plant–herbivore interactions
Chapter 12: Multi-trophic interactions

Appendix 1: Problem sets
Appendix 2: Matrix algebra: the basics
Appendix 3: List of mathematical symbols used in this book