Geographical Ecology

by Robert H. MacArthur

First published in 1972 and now available for the first time in paperback, this book is the summation of the life work of one of the most influential scientists of our time. Of permanent interest in the history and philosophy of science, it is also frequently cited in the current ecological literature and is still up-to-date in many categories.


"The theme running through this book," MacArthur wrote, "is that the structure of the environment, the morphology of the species, the economics of species behavior, and the dynamics of population changes are the four essential ingredients of all interesting biogeographic patterns." Written in his beautifully lucid style, this work will continue to be read by anyone concerned with biological ideas.

Genres: Science, Nature, Evolution

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A landmark, glad I finally read it. Codifies a certain approach to ecology that in many way still dominates, though non-equilibrium approaches and an increasing appreciation for the lessons of history are changing this in some ways. There are still ecologists wedded to various idealistic and anti-idealistic trends, rather than what seems actually to be happening.

It does feel dated, like any foundational work does. But there are pieces here that are more forward looking, like anticipating metapopulations and metacommunities, and discussing at length independent responses of species within communities. He begins by stating that competition may be rare and still be important.

And it does feel rushed. This is understandable as MacArthur was dying as he wrote it, and didn't have time to be as considered as his earlier work was. I think this really should be read together with other books of the time: the island biogeography book, the Cody and Diamond edited book, the Strong et al edited book, just to take you up to about 1980.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chanced upon this classic solo authored book by the legendary ecologist, who most famously shared the origination of the theory of island biogeography with the late E.O. Wilson. MacArthur was a pioneer in quantitative ecology, being at the forefront of using mathematical equations to model natural systems and the behavior of faunal communities. He expanded greatly upon competitive niche theory, and in this book used that as a basis for explaining larger patterns in the distribution of species over time and space. Though we have the benefit of large scale data crunching and machine learning generated insights in ecology today, we tend to get lost in interpreting the output, and a classic foundation like this would serve any practitioner well in having a grounding on the fundamentals of competition and niche partitioning.

A great pity MacArthur passed on prematurely as the field of theoretical ecology would have advanced that much more had he lived longer.

[Francesc Mesquita-Joanes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old and outdated, yet a thorough introduction to biogeography by one of the masters of the topic. Wisely separating mathematical explanations in appendices for each chapter, what makes reading the main aspects more easily. Notwithstanding the importance of abiotic factors (e.g. climate), MacArthur points out how biotic interactions play their role in the distribution of species. He discusses in this vein the always interesting question of why biodiversity is higher in the tropics than in temperate areas. And a pinch of longterm evolutionary biogeography in the end.

[Jorge · Rating 4 out of 5]

A remarkable book, although now seriously outdated. Leaving aside the first chapter on climate, most of the book is mainly of historical interest. Nevertheless it should be compulsory reading to people interested in the theory of Ecology. MacArthur wrote just before dying, and it is truly a great book.