Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology

by F. Stuart Chapin III, Pamela A. Matson, Peter Vitousek

Ecosystem ecology regards living organisms, including people, and the elements of their environment as components of a single integrated system. The comprehensive coverage in this textbook examines the central processes at work in terrestrial ecosystems, including their freshwater components. It traces the flow of energy, water, carbon, and nutrients from their abiotic origins to their cycles through plants, animals, and decomposer organisms. As well as detailing the processes themselves, the book goes further to integrate them at various scales of magnitude—those of the ecosystem, the wider landscape and the globe. It synthesizes recent advances in ecology with established and emerging ecosystem theory to offer a wide-ranging survey of ecosystem patterns and processes in our terrestrial environment.


Featuring review questions at the end of each chapter, suggestions for further reading, and a glossary of ecological terms, Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology is a vitally relevant text suitable for study in all courses in ecosystem ecology. Resource managers and researchers in many fields will welcome its thorough presentation of ecosystem essentials.   

Genres: Ecology, Textbooks, Science, Nature, Environment, Biology

1456 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 12, 2002

About the author

F. Stuart Chapin III, known to his friends as “Terry,” is an Alaskan ecologist who has written leading textbooks in ecosystem stewardship, ecosystem ecology, and plant physiological ecology. Based on his stewardship work, for which he was awarded the 2019 Volvo Environment Prize, he wrote “Grassroots Stewardship: Sustainability Within Our Reach” to explore stewardship with a general audience. This book presents a positive and pragmatic strategy by which individual citizens can shape a more sustainable future for nature and society.

Chapin’s research addresses the effects of changes in climate and wildfire on Alaskan ecology and rural communities. He explores ways that communities and agencies can increase sustainability of ecosystems and human communities over the long term despite rapid climatic and social changes. In this way, society can proactively shape changes toward a more sustainable future. He pursues this internationally through the Resilience Alliance, nationally through the Ecological Society of America, and in Alaska through partnerships with rural indigenous communities.

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a graduate course in Ecosystems Ecology. This text is well organized with clear focus, good and readable explanations, meaningfully connected to current issues and concerns, and has a good chapter summary for each chapter and helpful review questions. If you have a basic background (a good introductory course), you will benefit from this text especially with regard to understanding systems biology, the impact of human activity (the Anthropocene), and global climate change.

[M Wu]

read current events (:puke:) about dutch farmers revolt, realized (as is usually the case) that i know nothing, just wanted to read about nitrogen. did not get nothing out of it - surprising given my undirected approach.

ch. 14 quite readable.
ch. 9 a lot to parse.

[Wetbook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teach with this.

[Helena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good and very easily accessible introduction to ecology

[Alec · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic, fairly technical ecology at the ecosystem scale. I thought this covered ecosystems processes with good depth and some breadth. Not a systems approach, but this book plus a rigorous systems ecology text would make for a good foundation if you're trying to learn about basic ecology.

[Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite intensive, definitely not for those with little knowledge in the sciences. Lots of great information in here, I would recommend for those looking to learn about ecosystem science.

[Xi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best review book and a good start for ecosystem ecologist.