Preface
Part I. Introduction
1: Introducing the thought experiment
Part II. The Fundamental processes
2: Energy Flow
3: Multiple guilds
4: Tradeoffs and biodiversity
5: Ecological hypercycles - covering a planet with life
6: Merging of organismal and ecological physiology
7: Photosynthesis
8: Carbon sequestration
Part III. Emerging systems
9: Nutrient cycling as an emergent property
10: Historical contingency and the development of planetary
ecosystems
11: From processes to systems
Glossary
References
Winner of The Marsh Ecology Book of the Year Award 2007
David M. Wilkinson is Reader in Environmental Science in the School
of Biological and Earth Sciences at Liverpool John Moores
University. He has wide interests within the environmental and
biological sciences, where much of his research is on theoretical
topics within evolutionary ecology, biogeography and Earth systems
science. In addition he is involved in more empirical research on
soil protozoa, environmental archaeology and the history of
science. His teaching
covers a diverse range of topics from the history of geology to
forensic archaeology, but centres on various aspects of ecology.
`Review from previous edition This is a remarkabe book at many
levels...Put simply, this should be seen as a key text in any
undergraduate ecology/environment course. It's one of the most
interesting texts published for some time - a must-buy for the
library.'
Ecological and Environmental Education, The Teaching Ecology Group,
2007, Dr Paul Ganderton
`Wilkinson has succeeded in writing an extraordinarily readable and
accessible book that examines some of the very basic questions
underlying ecology in its widest sense. There are relatively few
books that encourage the reader to shake free from the shackles of
conventional thinking and move along new and illuminating paths.
Wilkinson has achieved this, and his book deserves to be read,
assimilated, and argued over by all those interested in
ecology,
from undergraduates to senior academics.'
British Ecological Society Bulletin, May 2006.
`In this lucidly written book, Dave Wilkinson introduces the
ecological building blocks needed for life to thrive on a planet
and explains how a self-regulating 'Gaia' system can emerge from
them.'
Tim Lenton
`This is a broad and wide ranging yet scrupulously scientific book
on ecology. It is just what is needed for the understanding of the
fast unfolding disaster of global climate change. I unhesitatingly
recommend it to all concerned biologists and climate
scientists.'
James Lovelock
`Fundamental Processes in Ecology is an intriguing but iconoclastic
introduction...[it] provides a novel and thought-provoking
organizational framework for ecology...'
TRENDS in Ecology and Evolution, March 2007, J.A. Jones
`The unconventional theoretical perspective of this clearly
written, concise volume will shed fresh light on areas of one's own
interest. Readers will find his or her own surprises and
illuminations. For me, the exclamation point was Wilkinson's list
of fundamental guilds: autotrophs, decomposers, and parasites.'
Joel E. Cohen, Rockefeller University and Columbia University, New
York, New York. The Quarterly Review of Biology, Volume 82, No.2,
June 2007
`Wilkinson does a fine job explaining fundamental ecological
processes such as energy flow, multiple guilds, carbon
sequestration, etc...'
Journal of Sedimentary Research, David Wilkins, Boise State
University, USA
Ask a Question About this Product More... |