Ecology: Evolution, Application, Integration

Ecology: Evolution, Application, Integration provides students and instructors with a groundbreaking evolutionary approach that transforms ecology from a collection of disassociated facts into an integrated, concept driven discipline. Since most ecological interactions are rooted in adaptive evolution, students learn to place ecological problems in an evolutionary context, thinking critically instead of just memorizing facts. This text develops scientific reasoning skills by teaching students not just what we know about the field, but also how we know what we know about it.Each chapter of Ecology begins with a fundamental ecological question. The sections of the chapter are designed around a logical sequence of smaller questions, the answers to which eventually enable students to answer the chapter's main question. This approach models the process of science; as students gain experience with this approach, they can apply it to new problems and questions.Ecology: Evolution, Application, Integration is distinguished by the following approaches: Integrates modern evolutionary theory throughout Highlights applications and connections to the real world Emphasizes inquiry, critical thinking, and the process of science Presents quantitative topics clearly and in real world applied contexts