Metabolic Ecology: A Scaling Approach

You looking to find the "Metabolic Ecology: A Scaling Approach" Good news! You can purchase Metabolic Ecology: A Scaling Approach with secure price and compare to view update price on this product. And deals on this product is available only for limited time.

   

Product Description

One of the first textbooks in this emerging important field of ecology.


Most of ecology is about metabolism: the ways that organisms use energy and materials. The energy requirements of individuals �� their metabolic rates � vary predictably with their body size and temperature. Ecological interactions are exchanges of energy and materials between organisms and their environments. So metabolic rate affects ecological processes at all levels: individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems. Each chapter focuses on a different process, level of organization, or kind of organism. It lays a conceptual foundation and presents empirical examples. Together, the chapters provide an integrated framework that holds the promise for a unified theory of ecology.

The book is intended to be accessible to upper-level undergraduate, and graduate students, but also of interest to senior scientists. Its easy-to-read chapters and clear illustrations can be used in lecture and seminar courses. Together they make for an authoritative treatment that will inspire future generations to study metabolic ecology.

</p>

Metabolic Ecology: A Scaling Approach Review

Ecology is a diverse field; so diverse, in fact, its been difficult to find general patterns and processes that explain them. Metabolic ecology is one approach to account for macroecological patterns - from commonalities in organismal energetics, to global patterns of diversity, abundance, and distribution. The main idea is that life is sustained by metabolism - the processing of energy and materials - and metabolism obeys basic physical principles that can be quantified. In particular, the rate of metabolism should reflect body size, temperature, and stoichiometry in a consistent fashion. In turn, metabolic rate will govern rates of biomass production, consumption, and developmental times. Ecology is the interaction of organisms with their environment that involves some exchange in materials and energy - whether by eating, fleeing, growing, or homeostasis. Providing a quantitative, theoretical foundation to these interactions is an important step to unifying ecology.

The field of metabolic ecology is a young and growing branch of ecology that shows great promise. This is probably both the gentlest and broadest introduction to the topic. Since there are multiple authors, its unsurprising that some chapters are written better than others. For a great overview read those written by Jim Brown. For examples of its application to specific fields and questions, peruse the other chapters. If you are interested in macroecology, ecological energetics, or big theories in ecology, this is a worthwhile investment.

Most of the consumer Reviews tell that the "Metabolic Ecology: A Scaling Approach" are high quality item. You can read each testimony from consumers to find out cons and pros from Metabolic Ecology: A Scaling Approach ...