Overview

"Macroecology is an approach to science that emphasizes the description and explanation of patterns and processes at large spatial and temporal scales. Some scientists liken it to seeing the forest through the trees, giving the proverbial phrase an ecological twist. The term itself was first introduced to the modern literature by James H. Brown and Brian A. Maurer in a 1989 paper, and it is Brown's classic 1995 study, Macroecology, that is credited with inspiring the broad-scale subfield of ecology. But as with all subfields, many modern-day elements of macroecology are implicit in earlier works dating back decades, even centuries. Foundations of Macroecology charts the evolutionary trajectory of these concepts-from the species-area relationship and the latitudinal gradient of species richness to the relationship between body size and metabolic rate-through forty-six landmark papers originally published between 1920 and 1998. Divided into two parts-""Macroecology before Macroecology"" and ""Dimensions of Macroecology""-the collection also takes the long view, with each paper accompanied by an original commentary from a contemporary expert in the field that places it in a broader context and explains its foundational role. Providing a solid, coherent assessment of the history, current state, and potential future of the field, Foundations of Macroecology will be an essential text for students and teachers of ecology alike."

Full Product Details

9780226115474

Table of Contents

Reviews

I love these papers. They're our disciplinary heritage, and it's valuable to wrap them all up in one spot. The pieces that have been selected are truly important, and there's a roster of terrific scientists who have written informatively, sometimes even passionately, about the inspiration these papers provide. What's not to like? A formidable summary that could and should be a useful basis for students new to the field. --Jeremy T. Kerr University of Ottawa Macroecology emphasizes the study of patterns and processes of species distributions, interactions, and diversity at broad temporal and spatial scales. This collection of classic papers is especially relevant for researchers studying biodiversity in a world impacted by human population growth on the one hand and climate change on the other. . . .The volume is also particularly timely in illustrating the roots of macroecology, which seems to be more a perspective on species and ecology than a discipline. . . . The papers in this useful but somewhat specialized book are mainly from the 1970s and 1980s, a golden age that allowed ecologists to recognize macroecology as a perspective distinct from many ecological endeavors of the period. . . . Recommended. --J. Burger, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick Choice Foundations of Macroecology is an essential compilation for researchers and teachers as well as students. --Conservation Biology Like the other 'Foundations of' books, this title includes classic papers and commentary by the editors on the development of the topics. Dates of the papers range from 1920 to 1998; topics include determinants of diversity and species abundances, allometry, speciation and extinction patterns, and new methodologies. --Ecology

I love these papers. They're our disciplinary heritage, and it's valuable to wrap them all up in one spot. The pieces that have been selected are truly important, and there's a roster of terrific scientists who have written informatively, sometimes even passionately, about the inspiration these papers provide. What's not to like? A formidable summary that could and should be a useful basis for students new to the field. --Jeremy T. Kerr University of Ottawa

Author Information

Felisa A. Smith is professor of biology at the University of New Mexico. John L. Gittleman is dean of the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia. James H. Brown is Distinguished Professor of Biology at the University of New Mexico and past president of the International Biogeography Society.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available