The newly revised Sixth Edition of Elements of Ecology maintains its engaging, reader-friendly style as it explains the basic principles of ecology. The text is updated to include new chapters on current ecological topics (metapopulations and conservation ecology); new part introductions to connect the subfields of ecology; and new in-text features to encourage students to interpret the ecological data, research, and models used throughout the text. Abundant, accessible examples illustrate and clarify the text's emphasis on understanding ecological patterns within an evolutionary framework. Additionally, the text employs new study questions requiring students to make connections and apply their knowledge.

Each chapter includes at least one Quantifying Ecology box explaining equations and statistical techniques with step-by-step examples designed to teach students how to use and interpret data. The expanded companion website (www.ecologyplace.com) includes GRAPHit!, MODELit!, and QUANTIFYit!, new quantitative exercises to help students further master and apply math skills.

New Researcher Profiles will introduce students to primary literature by featuring the next generation of ecologists working on innovative research.  These in-depth case studies follow a series of experiments that serve to illuminate the text’s core concepts.

Table of Contents

Part I  Introduction and Background
1. The Nature of Ecology
2. Adaptation and Evolution

Part II   The Physical Environment
3. Climate
4. The Aquatic Environment
5. The Terrestrial Environment

Part III  The Organism and Its Environment
6. Plant Adaptations to the Environment
7. Animal Adaptations to the Environment
8. Life History Patterns

Part IV Populations
9. Properties of Populations
10. Population Growth
11. Intraspecific Population Regulation
12. Metapopulations

Part V Species Interactions
13. Interspecific Competition
14. Predation
15. Parasitism and Mutualism

Part VI Community Ecology
16. Community Structure
17. Factors Influencing the Structure of Communities
18. Community Dynamics
19. Landscape Ecology

Part VII Ecosystem Ecology
20. Ecosystem Energetics
21. Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling
22. Biogeochemical Cycles

Part VIII Biogeographical Ecology
23. Terrestrial Ecosystems
24. Aquatic Ecosystems
25. Land—Water Margins
26. Large-scale Patterns of Biological Diversity

Part IX Human Ecology
27. Population Growth, Resource Use, and Sustainability
28. Habitat Loss, Biodiversity, and Conservation
29. Global Climate Change