Elements of Ecology (8th Edition)

I have read the first 180 pages so far and I really like the book. It does a better job than my professor at organizing the thought and flow of information.The complaints I have with this book are what some others would consider praise. For example, it is tons of review if you've had many other biology courses. I've taken A&P and Cell biology, so I know more than enough about negative feedback inhibition, which this text covers again. I've had highschool biology so I don't need a review of how plants are autotrophs.On the other hand, this book has elucidated things that I had no concept or idea about, including specific weather patterns and how the law of conservation of angular momentum causes trade winds. It sounds complicated just reading it here, but the textbook really breaks it down and before your finished with the first unit, you'll be able to sound professional around those in fields of conservation, ecology, and biology.Highest praise is for how this textbook teaches the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. I've "re-learned" this concept in General Biology, Organismal biology, genetics, statistics, and now in my Evolutionary Ecology course (so I'm quite familiar with it), but I've never seen it so clearly explained and described--could be that something finally sunk in, but I've known how to manipulate the formula for a while. I think the model used to explain it is what the book does that makes it such a great tool for teaching such a powerful formula.The book can be dry at times, but I actually look forward to reading it. Not the most interesting textbook I've read, but certainly not the worst.

This textbook was required for an ecology class I took over the summer of 2013. While I was not able to finish the entire book, I worked my way through just enough chapters to get a general impression of the quality of the writing and information. The authors are to be commended for doing an excellent job writing in a professional manner. Never did I sense unnecessary digressions or hurried explanations of ecological concepts. On the contrary, the authors patiently explain the complicated intricacies of ecology in such an efficient manner and in such detail that the writing can seem much too formal at times. The text is abounding with detail and while this strategy will no doubt appeal to many, the general principles can be difficult to keep track of when the text becomes overly bogged down with technicality. I have no doubt that the details were of crucial importance for a full, conceptual understanding of ecology, yet I could not help wondering if the same information could not be conveyed in a more pedagogical manner, an aspect where I think Cain's Ecology(another leading ecology textbook) has the advantage. This criticism is insignificant considering how well structured and organized the book is and although it is not perfect, I highly recommend it.

This book is being used for my Ecology and Evolution class. I ordered this book in the 8th edition because it was cheaper than the 9th edition while still retaining the majority of the value. The book is organized well and can be easily used for someone who is trying to use it as a replacement for the 9th edition book. My instructor also put the 9th edition book on reserve at my local library which makes it simpler to compare the contents, however it is also possible to compare the contents of this edition to the 9th edition by simply using the preview function on the next edition's amazon page.

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The packaging was garbage but the book was good for a used book

This is my second best recommendation for a basic Ecology textbook. David Krohner's is the best. This book goes in more depth; but it does not explain the some of the terms in depth as well as Krohner's textbook. Overall a very good textbook. Krohner's is for both a Undergraduate and Graduate student. This book is for a graduate someone whom is already familiar with these concepts.

This book did nothing to dissuade me from my original impression that ecology is a really soft science, which means it's lacking detail. Great on covering the basics, though.

I really enjoyed this textbook. The chapters are short and sweet with plenty of background information for people that do not know much about Ecology. The picture quality and quantity is really helpful in understanding also. The front cover is neat which is a plus and it is a paperback not a hardback text so I can take it around wherever I go. Would recommend for introduction ecology course or just to learn about Ecology in general!

Tout est là

Be careful where and whome youre buying it from, some of the books (mostly used and international format) are black and white so very difficult to view pictures and read tables and graphs that are color coded.

Ce n'est pas le même livre que sur l'image. Je regrette amèrement mon achat.

The content is correct but except the cover the remaining pages a black n white diagrams are clear but little difficult to understand as it is in black and white.

Best book for higher study of ecology. Best explanation to the concepts and covers almost all the chapters. One demerit of the book is that, it is not good for beginers.