Fundamental Processes in Ecology

An Earth Systems Approach

David M. Wilkinson - Collection Biology

485 pages, parution le 10/08/2006

Ajouter à une liste

Indisponible

Résumé

Fundamental Processes in Ecology presents a way to study ecosystems that is not yet available in ecology textbooks but is resonant with current thinking in the emerging fields of geobiology and Earth System Science. It provides an alternative, process-based classification of ecology and proposes a truly planetary view of ecological science. To achieve this, it asks (and endeavours to answer) the question, nullwhat are the fundamental ecological processes which would be found on any planet with Earth-like, carbon based, life?

The author demonstrates how the idea of fundamental ecological processes can be developed at the systems level, specifically their involvement in control and feedback mechanisms. This approach allows us to reconsider basic ecological ideas such as energy flow, guilds, trade-offs, carbon cycling and photosynthesis; and to put these in a global context. In doing so, the book puts a much stronger emphasis on microorganisms than has traditionally been the case.

The integration of Earth System Science with ecology is vitally important if ecological science is to successfully contribute to the massive problems and future challenges associated with global change. Although the approach is heavily influenced by Lovelock's Gaia hypothesis, this is not a popular science book about Gaian theory. Instead it is written as an accessible text for graduate student seminar courses and researchers in the fields of ecology, earth system science, evolutionary biology, palaeontology, history of life, astrobiology, geology and physical geography.

Readership: An accessible text suitable for graduate student seminar courses and faculty researchers in the fields of earth system science, ecology, evolutionary biology, palaeontology, history of life and astrobiology, geology and physical geography.

L'auteur - David M. Wilkinson

David M. Wilkinson, School of Biological and Earth Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, UK

Sommaire

Introduction
- Introducing the thought experiment
The Fundamental processes
- Energy Flow
- Multiple guilds
- Tradeoffs and biodiversity
- Ecological hypercycles - covering a planet with life
- Merging of organismal and ecological physiology
- Photosynthesis
- Carbon sequestration
Emerging systems
- Nutrient cycling as an emergent property
- Historical contingency and the development of planetary ecosystems
- From processes to systems

Voir tout

Replier

Caractéristiques techniques

	PAPIER
Éditeur(s)	Oxford University Press
Auteur(s)	David M. Wilkinson
Collection	Biology
Parution	10/08/2006
Nb. de pages	485
Format	16 x 24
Couverture	Broché
Poids	493g
Intérieur	Noir et Blanc
EAN13	9780198568469
ISBN13	978-0-19-856846-9