An Introduction to Methods and Models in Ecology, Evolution, & Conservation Biology - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0691127247 ISBN 13: 9780691127248

Verlag: Princeton University Press, 2010

Inhaltsangabe

An innovative introduction to ecology and evolution

This unique textbook introduces undergraduate students to quantitative models and methods in ecology, behavioral ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation. It explores the core concepts shared by these related fields using tools and practical skills such as experimental design, generating phylogenies, basic statistical inference, and persuasive grant writing. And contributors use examples from their own cutting-edge research, providing diverse views to engage students and broaden their understanding.

This is the only textbook on the subject featuring a collaborative "active learning" approach that emphasizes hands-on learning. Every chapter has exercises that enable students to work directly with the material at their own pace and in small groups. Each problem includes data presented in a rich array of formats, which students use to answer questions that illustrate patterns, principles, and methods. Topics range from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and population effective size to optimal foraging and indices of biodiversity. The book also includes a comprehensive glossary.

In addition to the editors, the contributors are James Beck, Cawas Behram Engineer, John Gaskin, Luke Harmon, Jon Hess, Jason Kolbe, Kenneth H. Kozak, Robert J. Robertson, Emily Silverman, Beth Sparks-Jackson, and Anton Weisstein.

• Provides experience with hypothesis testing, experimental design, and scientific reasoning
• Covers core quantitative models and methods in ecology, behavioral ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation
• Turns "discussion sections" into "thinking labs"

Professors: A supplementary Instructor's Manual is available for this book. It is restricted to teachers using the text in courses. For information on how to obtain a copy, refer to: https://press.princeton.edu/class_use/solutions.html

Über diesen Titel

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Stanton Braude is lecturer in biology at Washington University in St. Louis. Bobbi S. Low is professor of resource ecology at the University of Michigan.

Von der hinteren Coverseite

"Braude and Low combine approaches and methodologies from ecology, evolution, and behavior, and emphasize quantitative exercises. Most other books that I'm familiar with are largely focused on either ecology or evolution. It makes sense to me to combine all of this material under a single cover. I can't think of another book like this one."--Jonathan Shurin, University of British Columbia

"A very worthwhile contribution. The authors expose students to quantitative methods using a very hands-on approach. The exercises increase students' comfort with data analysis and quantitative methods while also helping them to develop independent critical thinking and practical problem-solving skills. I do not know of any other textbook that offers this approach in evolution and ecology."--Suzanne H. Alonzo, Yale University

"This book is designed to teach basic ecological methods to undergraduates using a series of interactive exercises. It promotes real learning as opposed to memorization. It is a significant contribution to the field."--Susan L. Keen, University of California, Davis

"This is an interesting and even entertaining book of lab and field exercises that represent a wealth of personal experience in teaching the essentials of ecology and evolutionary theory, as well as the basics of the scientific method, study design, and analysis. The book includes many gems."--David K. Skelly, Yale University

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AN INTRODUCTION TO METHODS & MODELS IN Ecology, Evolution, & Conservation Biology

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS

Copyright © 2010 Princeton University Press
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-691-12724-8

Contents

Figures..................................................................................................................................................viiTables...................................................................................................................................................xiPreface..................................................................................................................................................xvAcknowledgments..........................................................................................................................................xviiIntroduction.............................................................................................................................................xix1 Evolution and Pesticide Resistance: Examining Quantitative Trends Visually Stanton Braude and John Gaskin.............................................32 Lizard Ecomorphology: Generating and Testing Hypotheses of Adaptation Kenneth H. Kozak................................................................123 Phylogenetic Inference: Examining Morphological and Molecular Datasets James Beck.....................................................................224 Life History Tradeoffs in Avian Clutch Size: Interpreting Life History Data and Evaluating Alternative Hypotheses Jon Hess............................365 Mimicry: Experimental Design and Scientific Logic James Robertson.....................................................................................516 Life Table Analysis Stanton Braude....................................................................................................................637 Lotka-Volterra Competition Modeling Stanton Braude, Tara Scherer, and Rebecca McGaha..................................................................698 Explosive Population Growth and Invasive Exotic Species Jon Hess and James Robertson..................................................................799 Island Biogeography: Evaluating Correlational Data and Testing Alternative Hypotheses James Robertson.................................................9110 Hardy-Weinberg: Evaluating Disequilibrium Forces Jason J. Kolbe......................................................................................10711 Drift, Demographic Stochasticity, and Extinction in Woggles James Robertson, Anton Weisstein, and Stanton Braude.....................................11712 Conservation of Small Populations: Effective Population Sizes, Inbreeding, and the 50/500 Rule Luke J. Harmon and Stanton Braude.....................12513 Dispersal and Metapopulation Structure James Robertson...............................................................................................13914 Understanding Descriptive Statistics Beth Sparks-Jackson and Emily Silverman.........................................................................15515 Understanding Statistical Inference Emily Silverman and Beth Sparks-Jackson..........................................................................17916 Sampling Wild Populations Stanton Braude and James Robertson.........................................................................................18917 Quantifying Biodiversity Cawas Behram Engineer and Stanton Braude....................................................................................19818 Environmental Predictability and Life History Bobbi S. Low and Stanton Braude........................................................................21419 Modeling Optimal Foraging Stanton Braude and James Robertson.........................................................................................22620 Evaluating Competing Hypotheses of Regional Biodiversity Stanton Braude..............................................................................23521 Preparing and Evaluating Competitive Grant Proposals for Conservation Funding Stanton Braude.........................................................23922 Tracing the History of Scientific Ideas: From Darwin, Connell, or Soule to the Present Bobbi S. Low..................................................245Glossary.................................................................................................................................................251Contributors.............................................................................................................................................263Index....................................................................................................................................................265

Chapter One

Evolution and Pesticide Resistance: Examining Quantitative Trends Visually Stanton Braude and John Gaskin

Introduction and Background

Evolution and natural selection have always been central concepts in the study of ecology. When German biologist Ernst Haekel coined the term "ecology" in the 1860s, he envisioned studying the forces of nature that were selective forces in the Darwinian sense. Darwin is popularly associated with the rise of evolutionary thought in biology; his major contribution was explaining natural selection—and the concept is so rich that we still find it fascinating to explore today.

Evolution is the term we use for changes in gene frequencies in populations or species over time. It is not the same as natural selection; in fact, evolution results from mutation, recombination, and drift, which generate variation but are not predictable, as well as from natural selection. So what is natural selection? It is the mechanism that drives adaptive evolution; the result of the simple fact that in any environment, depending on the conditions of that environment, some variants—individuals with specified genetic traits—survive and reproduce better than others. If we understand how any environment shapes traits, favoring some and disfavoring other individuals who possess those traits, we can predict how traits should match environmental conditions—and how populations will change over time. We will see this throughout this book, especially in this chapter, and in chapters 2, 4, 5, 18, and 19.

Ecology is a very empirical science, so it is not surprising that much ecology of the early twentieth century was descriptive. Ecologists today know that understanding natural selection and evolution is central to understanding important "why" hypotheses—especially today, when we humans change environments (and thus selective pressures) rapidly without necessarily understanding our impacts.

"Why" hypotheses can be of several sorts (Tinbergen, 1963). Hypotheses that explain why phenomena exist in nature are ultimate hypotheses, and those that explain how things work are proximate hypotheses. Both are important, but it is especially crucial not to confuse the two; it is confusing and wrong to offer a proximate answer to an ultimate question. For example: why do birds fly south for the winter? "Because individuals in this species in this region that migrate seasonally survive and reproduce better than those that do not" is an ultimate answer (and you can see all sorts of testable predictions: whether hummingbirds will migrate when seed-eating species will not; whether migration will be associated with seasonal changes, etc.). "Because changing day length causes shifting hormone levels" is a proximate...

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: Princeton University Press
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2010
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 0691127247
• ISBN 13: 9780691127248
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 267
• Herausgeber: Braude Stanton, Low Bobbi S.
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Nicht verfügbar
• Verantwortliche Person: Nicht verfügbar