A Primer of Ecology

by Nicholas J. Gotelli

A Primer of Ecology , Fourth Edition, presents a concise but detailed exposition of the most common mathematical models in population and community ecology. It is intended to demystify ecological models and the mathematics behind them by deriving the models from first principles. The book may be used as a self-teaching tutorial by students, as a primary textbook, or as a supplemental text to a general ecology textbook.

The Prime r explains in detail basic concepts of exponential and logistic population growth, age-structured demography, metapopulation dynamics, competition, predation, island biogeography, succession, and, in a chapter new to this edition, species richness. Each chapter is carefully graded from simple material that is appropriate for beginning undergraduates to advanced material, which is suited for upper-division undergraduates and beginning graduate students. Advanced topics include environmental and demographic stochasticity, discrete population growth and chaos, stage-structured demography, intraguild predation, nonlinear predator-prey isoclines, and passive sampling. Each chapter follows the same structure: model presentation and predictions, model assumptions, model variations, empirical examples, and problems.

Essential equations are highlighted for students' use. Intermediate algebraic "expressions" are also illustrated so that students see where the equations came from. New terms are introduced in the text in boldface type to alert students to novel concepts. The Primer contains more mathematical detail than many ecology textbooks, but avoids jargon and mathematical terminology that can intimidate students. Both simple and advanced problems are included, followed by fully worked solutions so that students can gain confidence and a better understanding of the models. Citations are kept to a minimum.

Genres: Ecology, Science, Textbooks, Nonfiction, Reference, Academic, Biology

290 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1995

Reviews

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gracias Nicholas J. Gotelli, sin ti me habría echado la carrera.

[Sumwut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe the first time I read a "textbook" front to cover and really absorbed the material! I learned a lot about the mathematical modeling of populations and communities. The equation derivations were superrrrrrb.
A fabulous book for ecology students! :D

[KM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This relatively concise, but dense book explains the foundational models of ecology: breaking down equations into their relevant parts, embracing analogies and describing case studies, and writing each chapter in a predictable format. I really appreciated its straightforwardness! I wish it were the first book I read upon entering grad school.

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to skim through this book in under a week while I prepared for my preliminary exams for my PhD. I have to say, Gotelli did a great job of quickly summarizing many of the major quantitative topics in Ecology. It is perhaps a little daunting for a newcomer, but if you have had coursework in ecology and want a good refresher on all those pesky foundational math topics that we all know are important (but easily the nuances of) this is a great book to go with.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

MUCH better than the Vandermeer and Goldberg book on population and community ecology. This book has better figures, examples, and the text has fewer errors. I would suggest the newer 4th edition however (blue cover I think). Solid book and a great review of population ecology. For a comprehensive review of population AND community ecology I would suggest this book and the Mittelbach book titled "Community Ecology."

[Tj · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent ecology text. It's focus is on the "black box math" aspect of ecological theoretical modeling. Gotelli is clear and concise in his explanation of how you get from one form of an equation to the next. He also does so in a non-threatening (non-mathematics) way. He makes it clear that you have to be no mathemagician to understand ecological modeling.

[Patrick Turgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great textbook to learn the mathematical aspects of Ecology. Very clear and to the point.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was assigned this book for my PhD comprehensive exam in Population Ecology. Excellent book that every student in the field should read, my only regret is not reading it sooner.