Elements of Ecology

by Thomas M. Smith, Robert Leo Smith

This book provides readers with a popular modular organization and an easy-to-read writing style that explains the basics of ecology. The authors have updated the Fifth Edition to reflect the current emphasis on the physical environment, global environmental change, and adaptation/evolution. As a result, there are new chapters, a new structure, and new topics found in the table of contents. These changes provide readers with an understanding of the principles governing the relationships between plants, animals, and other living organisms within their environment, and give them skills to critically evaluating public issues related to ecology. Abundant real-life examples illustrate and clarify the book's emphasis on understanding ecological patterns within an evolutionary framework. For instructors and students, or anyone interested in ecology.

Genres: Biology, Textbooks, Ecology, School, Nonfiction, Reference, Environmental Science

682 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introductory book on ecology. I used it for my second year's Ecology courses and it contained all I needed. This is a study book, so I wouldn't recommend picking it up if you're just interested in basic Ecology, but for Biology students or ecologists trying to freshen up their knowledge, this is perfect. Great examples, nice summaries after every chapter and practice questions!

[Robyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Textbook for my Ecology class at Lubbock Christian University, while working on my Environmental Science major with a Biology minor. I don't think we even used the textbook for the class at all! We mostly had field trips & learned about plants & animals thru those.

[Momo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Also for school, it was very confusingly laid out. The complexity of topics was also really weirdly laid out if that makes any sense.

[Öykü · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gerçekten çok güzeldi. Herhangi bir ders kitabı gibi değil başucu kitabı gibiydi adeta. Hiçbir yerinde yorgunluk hissi yaratmadı, adım adım detaylandırması, örneklemeler ve saha çalışmalarına ayrılan yerler anlamayı kolaylaştırıyordu. Yine de diğer derslerle birlikte olunca bir dönemde bitirilmesinin zor olduğunu düşünüyorum. Bu arada modern insanları da bir ekolojik komünite olarak bilimsel yollarla ele alması çok hoşuma gitti. Gerçekten vizyonumu genişletti diyebilirim. Pearson'ın diğer ders kitaplarında da dil akıcı, örneklendirmeler ilişkili ve online kaynaklar yararlıydı. Keşke Türkçe çevirisi de olsa.

[Claire Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise book describing the background for ecology as well as very helpful case studies exploring the topic. Definitely extremely helpful when teaching a new topic to look back on the basic info. The infographics are useful and interesting.
Unfortunately, research moves fast and some of the examples are slightly out of date now.

[Santhosh Totiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read 8th edition. Not detailed but concisely written.

[Emanuele Giacomuzzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit boring sometimes.

[Ev · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is really well written and lays out all of the concepts extremely well!

[Aaron · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book has some issues from going from very simple basic concepts to jumping to really technical ideas involving math. While I do not see this to be a problem it seemed that it was mostly used as filler instead of something that needed to be learned, because if that was the case there would be example problems to practice on.

[Bilge B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably would've liked it more if I were into ecology more. Still not as boring as I expected.

[Laura Sheffield · Rating 4 out of 5]

A textbook for a Natural Resources class.

[Terry Freedlander · Rating 4 out of 5]

broad survey of science of ecology; great graphics and case studies. Detailed chapters well-organized.

[Petra Sando · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my textbook for my BIO/315 Ecology and Evolution uni course. I enjoyed the content and found it quite helpful in completing my assignments.