Ecological Systems

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-vi

   PDF

2. Ecological Systems, Introduction

   • Rik Leemans

   Pages 1-6

3. Atmospheric Biogeochemistry

   • Natalie M. Mahowald

   Pages 7-29

4. Ecological Succession and Community Dynamics

   • Herman H. (Hank) Shugart

   Pages 31-57

5. Ecosystem Engineers, Keystone Species

   • Sanne de Visser, Elisa Thébault, Peter C. de Ruiter

   Pages 59-68

6. Ecosystem Flow Analysis

   • Brian D. Fath

   Pages 69-80

7. Ecosystem Services

   • Heather Tallis, Anne Guerry, Gretchen C. Daily

   Pages 81-100

8. Ecosystems and Spatial Patterns

   • Patrick M. A. James, Marie-Josée Fortin

   Pages 101-124

9. Ecosystems, Adaptive Management

   • Craig R. Allen, Joseph J. Fontaine, Ahjond S. Garmestani

   Pages 125-146

10. Ecotones and Ecological Gradients

    • Salit Kark

    Pages 147-160

11. Invasive Species

    • Anthony Ricciardi

    Pages 161-178

12. Landscape Ecology

    • Jianguo (Jingle) Wu

    Pages 179-200

13. Marine Biogeochemistry

    • Walker O. Smith Jr., Eileen E. Hofmann, Anna Mosby

    Pages 201-221

14. Species Competition and Predation

    • Peter Chesson

    Pages 223-256

15. Species Diversity Within and Among Ecosystems

    • Jonathan E. M. Baillie, Karolyn Upham

    Pages 257-271

16. Urban Ecology

    • S. T. A. Pickett, M. L. Cadenasso

    Pages 273-301

17. Back Matter

    Pages 303-309

    PDF

Earth is home to an estimated 8 million animal species, 600,000 fungi, 300,000 plants, and an undetermined number of microbial species.  Of these animal, fungal, and plant species, an estimated 75% have yet to be identified.  Moreover, the interactions between these species and their physical environment are known to an even lesser degree.  At the same time, the earth’s biota faces the prospect of climate change, which may manifest slowly or extremely rapidly, as well as a human population set to grow by two billion by 2045 from the current seven billion.  Given these major ecological changes, we cannot wait for a complete biota data set before assessing, planning, and acting to preserve the ecological balance of the earth.  This book provides comprehensive coverage of the scientific and engineering basis of the systems ecology of the earth in 15 detailed, peer-reviewed entries written for a broad audience of undergraduate and graduate students as well as  practicing professionals in government, academia, and industry.  The methodology presented aims at identifying key interactions and environmental effects, and enabling a systems-level understanding even with  our present state of factual knowledge.

• Atmospheric Biogeochemistry
• Ecological Gradients
• Ecological Succession
• Ecological Systems
• Ecological Systems Sustainability
• Ecosystem Flow Analysis
• Ecosystem Services
• Ecosystems Adaptive Management
• Ecosystems Spatial Patterns
• Ecotones
• Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology
• Invasive Species
• Landscape Ecology Sustainability
• Urban Ecology Sustainability

• , Environmental Systems Analysis Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands

  Rik Leemans

Policies and ethics