The Distribution and Abundance of Animals

Fülszöveg

Traditionally, animal ecology has been the study of communities; yet a quarter-century has passed since Elton wrote his pioneering work, Animal Ecology, and no general theory has developed to unify research in the field. The authors of the present work, recognizing a long-felt need, have broken with tradition and approach their subject from the viewpoint of population. A new, satisfying, and workman-like theory is the result.
The Distribution and Abundance of Animals asks the fundamental question: How does environment influence the animal's chance to survive and multiply? The search for an answer leads, on the one hand, to an examination of the animal's physiology and behavior and, on the other, to the four basic components of environment: weather, food, other animals, and a place in which to live. There are, in addition, special chapters on the genetic aspects of ecology and a section which reviews critically seventeen major studies of natural populations, as a means of... Tovább

Fülszöveg

Traditionally, animal ecology has been the study of communities; yet a quarter-century has passed since Elton wrote his pioneering work, Animal Ecology, and no general theory has developed to unify research in the field. The authors of the present work, recognizing a long-felt need, have broken with tradition and approach their subject from the viewpoint of population. A new, satisfying, and workman-like theory is the result.
The Distribution and Abundance of Animals asks the fundamental question: How does environment influence the animal's chance to survive and multiply? The search for an answer leads, on the one hand, to an examination of the animal's physiology and behavior and, on the other, to the four basic components of environment: weather, food, other animals, and a place in which to live. There are, in addition, special chapters on the genetic aspects of ecology and a section which reviews critically seventeen major studies of natural populations, as a means of illustrating the
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methodology and principles of analysis which the authors have employed. In a profound sense, this fresh approach to ecology through the dynamics of populations amounts to a major work in a new field—"population ecology."
Students, teachers, and researchers will find themselves re-evaluating their studies in the light of the many-fresh and original concepts which are documented in this book. It is quite possible that The Distribution and Abundance of Animals will assume a place comparable to Elton's great work of a generation ago.
About the authors . . .
H. G. Andrewartha is reader in zoology at the University of Adelaide, Australia. He has carried out extensive research in many different areas on the Australian continent and has worked in English research laboratories. L. C. Birch, reader in zoology at the University of Sydney, Australia, has an impressive background of research experience in English, American, South American, and Australian laboratories. Vissza