Practical Ecology

This book introduces experimental design and data analysis / interpretation as well as field monitoring skills for both plants and animals. Clearly structured throughout and written in a student-friendly manner, the main emphasis of the book concentrates on the techniques required to design a field based ecological survey and shows how to execute an appropriate sampling regime. The book evaluates appropriate methods, including the problems associated with various techniques and their inherent flaws (e.g. low sample sizes, large amount of field or laboratory work, high cost etc). This provides a resource base outlining details from the planning stage, into the field, guiding through sampling and finally through organism identification in the laboratory and computer based data analysis and interpretation. The text is divided into six distinct chapters. The first chapter covers planning, including health and safety together with information on a variety of statistical techniques for examining and analysing data. Following a chapter dealing with site characterisation and general aspects of species identification, subsequent chapters describe the techniques used to survey and census particular groups of organisms. The final chapter covers interpreting and presenting data and writing up the research. The emphasis here is on appropriate wording of interpretation and structure and content of the report.

There are few books available that provide a good introduction tothe methods and techniques for ecological research. This book willbe invaluable to lecturers teaching field courses and studentsundertaking project work in ecology. Each chapter will focus on an ecological technique. It will havean introductory section that describes the ecological principlesand theory. This will then be followed by example applications.These will focus on three most common habitats where teachers takestudents for fieldwork; the seashore, ponds and lakes, fields andwoodland. Gives specific worked examples from the main ecosystems usedfor undergraduate study - seashore, lakes/ponds, field andwoodland. Only introductory text specifically focused on fieldtechniques. Great 'how-to' guide that will show student exactly how tocarry out each method. Only text to emphasise the principles behind the techniques -taking a methods based approach rather than a taxonomic approach(eg chapters split into population measures, biodiversity measures,species richness measures rather than methods for invertebrates,methods for mammals, methods for birds etc). Greater emphasis on the equipment involved - how to make it,where to buy it. Good references to further reading and advancedtechniques.

Filled with numerous exercises this practical guide provides a real hands-on approach to learning the essential concepts and techniques of landscape ecology. The knowledge gained enables students to usefully address landscape- level ecological and management issues. A variety of approaches are presented, including: group discussion, thought problems, written exercises, and modelling. Each exercise is categorised as to whether it is for individual, small group, or whole class study.

Our aim in writing this book is to provide students and teachers with a simple introductory text which deals with practical aspects of ecology, environmen tal biology and biogeography, emphasizing actual field and classroom investigations. Basic concepts and methods of survey, mapping and aerial photography, data collection and data analysis are described and discussed, in order to encourage students to identify and tackle worthwhile projects. The level at which this text is appropriate depends very much upon particular circumstances. The greater part lies within the scope of the sixth form and the first and second years of college, polytechnic and university courses in the British Isles and their equivalents overseas. All students inevitably meet difficulties in the identification of plant and animal species, particularly when they venture into unfamiliar habitats and regions. This is often the cause of unnecessary alarm. Many ecological principles or problems may be illustrated by reference to familiar species and habitats, such as are found in urban environments, as well as those areas of semi-natural vegetation favoured for field courses.

Mathematical modelling is an essential tool in present-day ecological research. Yet for many ecologists it is still problematic to apply modelling in their research. In our experience, the major problem is at the conceptual level: proper understanding of what a model is, how ecological relations can be translated consistently into mathematical equations, how models are solved, steady states calculated and interpreted. Many textbooks jump over these conceptual hurdles to dive into detailed formulations or the mathematics of solution. This book attempts to fill that gap. It introduces essential concepts for mathematical modelling, explains the mathematics behind the methods, and helps readers to implement models and obtain hands-on experience. Throughout the book, emphasis is laid on how to translate ecological questions into interpretable models in a practical way. The book aims to be an introductory textbook at the undergraduate-graduate level, but will also be useful to seduce experienced ecologists into the world of modelling. The range of ecological models treated is wide, from Lotka-Volterra type of principle-seeking models to environmental or ecosystem models, and including matrix models, lattice models and sequential decision models. All chapters contain a concise introduction into the theory, worked-out examples and exercises. All examples are implemented in the open-source package R, thus taking away problems of software availability for use of the book. All code used in the book is available on a dedicated website.

The need to understand and address large-scale environmental problems that are difficult to study in controlled environments—issues ranging from climate change to overfishing to invasive species—is driving the field of ecology in new and important directions. Observation and Ecology documents that transformation, exploring how scientists and researchers are expanding their methodological toolbox to incorporate an array of new and reexamined observational approaches—from traditional ecological knowledge to animal-borne sensors to genomic and remote-sensing technologies—to track, study, and understand current environmental problems and their implications. The authors paint a clear picture of what observational approaches to ecology are and where they fit in the context of ecological science. They consider the full range of observational abilities we have available to us and explore the challenges and practical difficulties of using a primarily observational approach to achieve scientific understanding. They also show how observations can be a bridge from ecological science to education, environmental policy, and resource management. Observations in ecology can play a key role in understanding our changing planet and the consequences of human activities on ecological processes. This book will serve as an important resource for future scientists and conservation leaders who are seeking a more holistic and applicable approach to ecological science.

"Society for Ecological Restoration"--Cover.

Practical Ecology for Planners, Developers, and Citizens introduces and explains key ecological concepts for planners, landscape architects, developers, and others involved in planning and building human habitats. The book is tailored to meet the needs of busy land use professionals and citizens seeking a concise yet thorough overview of ecology and its applications. It offers clear guidelines and a wealth of information on how we can protect species and ecosystems while at the same creating healthy, sustainable human communities. Throughout the book, the authors make ecological concepts accessible to readers with little or no scientific background. They present key ideas and information in simple and pragmatic terms, and provide numerous graphics to help explain important concepts. They also offer exercises for the reader to practice ecologically-based planning and design, along with a list of resources for practical information on ecology and conservation. Practical Ecology for Planners, Developers, and Citizens will raise the level of ecological understanding among land use professionals and citizens, and is an invaluable new resource for anyone concerned with human land use and its environmental impacts.