The Ecology Book

Description

How do species interact with each other and their environment? How do ecosystems change? What is biodiversity and can we afford to damage it?Throughout history; humankind has tried to order the living world and understand how it works. As our influence on the planet grows; answering these profound questions is becoming more and more pressing. Written in plain English; The Ecology Book is packed with short; pithy explanations of more than 90 key ideas. Step-by-step diagrams untangle tricky theories; illuminating quotes make the ideas and discoveries memorable; and witty illustrations enhance and play with our understanding of the science. You'll explore key theories; movements; and events in biology; geology; geography; and environmentalism; from the ideas of classical thinkers and Enlightenment attempts to impose order on nature; to discoveries such as DNA and theories like the Gaia hypothesis. Boxes highlighting 'green' issues - the impact of pesticides; the plight of vulnerable species; and the search for renewable energy - appear throughout; as do profiles of influential figures - Charles Darwin; Carl Linnaeus; Rachel Carson; and James Lovelock - which place their ideas in their historical context. Whether you're new to ecology; a science student; or simply concerned about what's happening to our planet; this is a comprehensive introduction to the environment and climate change - arguably the most important subjects of our time.